Polri Denies Discussing Return of Rizieq Shihab

Jakarta, MINA – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has denied that it had discussed the plan of the leader of the Indonesian Defenders Front (FPI), Rizieq Shihab, to return to Indonesia.

“We did not discuss the matter,” Polri Public Relations Head Inspector General Setyo Wasisto stated here on Monday.

The Headquarters of Polri held a meeting of Polri top brass through a video conference on Monday.

In the video conference meeting, Deputy Police Chief Commissioner General Syafruddin, who chaired the meeting, instructed all provincial and district police chiefs to boost security measures and protect worship places and religious leaders in their respective areas, Wasisto noted.

“It was about security measures and protection of worship places and religious leaders, because there are cases of torture of religious leaders followed by unfounded rumors,” he revealed.

Earlier, there was a telegram in circulation that leaders in the Polri Headquarters would hold a video conference meeting with regional police chiefs to discuss preparations for the return of Shihab.

The telegram was signed by Inspector General Mochamad Iriawan, the operation Assistance of the Polri chief, representing the Polri chief.

Syafruddin explained that the content of the telegram was not true. “The telegram is not true. What was discussed today was regarding the security of worship places and religious leaders,” he pointed out. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)