Over a thousand of Indonesian Islamic hardliners protest against police interrogation

Record ID: 165363

  • Title: Over a thousand of Indonesian Islamic hardliners protest against police interrogation
  • Date: 23rd January 2017
  • Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (JANUARY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS ARRIVING IN FRONT OF JAKARTA'S POLICE HEADQUARTERS, SOME ON FOOT AND SOME ON TOP OF TRUCK PROTESTER GIVING SPEECH FROM TOP OF TRUCK VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED PROTESTERS AND POLICE SEPARATED BY BARBED WIRE POLICE STANDING BEHIND BARBED WIRE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS SURROUNDING CAR CARRYING SPIRITUAL LEADER OF ISLAMIC DEFENDERS FRONT (FPI), HABIB RIZIEQ, AND WAVING FLAGS FLAGS OF ISLAMIC GROUPS BEING WAVED IN AIR (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) PROTESTER, YUNAS, SAYING: "This case started because of injustice. What I mean is, the case is being processed shortly after Habib Rizieq made the comment. But, Jakarta Governor Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) who was named a suspect of blasphemy managed to get away a few times, he is untouched by the law. He is not detained even though he was named as a suspect. While a Muslim who spoke something good about the religion is said to be wrong." PROTESTERS ON STREET LISTENING TO SPEECH ONE OF THE LEADERS OF FPI GIVING SPEECH FROM TOP OF TRUCK PROTESTERS GATHERED FINGER BEING HELD UP IN AIR, MEANING ALLAH IS THE ONE AND ONLY GOD PROTESTER LOOKING ON PROTESTERS LISTENING TO SPEECH, WAVING FLAGS PROTESTERS SHOUTING (Bahasa Indonesia): "THERE IS NO OTHER GOD EXCEPT ALLAH" VARIOUS OF PROTESTS HOLDING ONE FINGER IN THE AIR
  • Embargoed: 6th February 2017 10:35
  • Keywords: Indonesia protest Islam Muslim hardliners FPI Habib Rizieq police questioning police Islamist
  • Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
  • City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA00160AWD39
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Over a thousand conservative Muslims protested in Jakarta on Monday (January 23) against police questioning a controversial cleric for the second time in as many weeks, as concern grows over the clout of fundamentalist groups in the country.
    Habib Rizieq, the leader of the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), is being investigated in two separate cases.
    Police questioned Rizieq over allegations he spread misinformation last month about newly-minted banknotes when he said some of the symbols used resembled a Communist hammer and sickle, which are illegal in Indonesia.
    The central bank denied the new banknotes carried any Communist symbols.
    Last week, Rizieq faced questioning over claims that he made defamatory comments in 2014 about one of Indonesia's founding fathers, Sukarno, and questioned the legitimacy of the state ideology Pancasila.
    If found guilty, he could face up to four years in prison. The cleric has denied any wrongdoing in both cases.
    "This case started because of injustice," said one protester and Rizieq supporter, Yunas, who goes by one name like many Indonesians.
    "The case is being processed shortly after Habib Rizieq made the comment. But, Jakarta Governor Ahok (Basuki Tjahaja Purnama) who was named a suspect of blasphemy managed to get away a few times, he is untouched by the law. He is not detained even though he was named as a suspect. While a Muslim who spoke something good about the religion is said to be wrong," he said.
    Rizieq and his organisation were key drivers behind recent rallies against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, who they claim insulted the Koran. The rallies were the biggest Indonesia has seen in nearly 20 years.
    The ethnic Chinese Christian governor in on trial for blasphemy but remains one of the frontrunners in next month's governor election.
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