1985 Police Guard Rizieq Shihab's Offline Trial, Will Take Decisive Action To Support Stubborn Supporters

JAKARTA - Jakarta Metro Police is preparing a security scheme at the East Jakarta District Court regarding Rizieq Shihab's trial tomorrow, Friday, March 26. There was 1,985 joint personnel deployed to secure the Rizieq Shihab trial which was held offline or face-to-face.

"The power that we have prepared 1,985 joint personnel, for the offline trial activity tomorrow", said Head of Public Relations of Jakarta Metro Police Kombes Yusri Yunus to reporters, Thursday, March 25.

Not only alerting personnel, but the police also appealed to Rizieq Shihab's supporters not to come to the East Jakarta District Court. The reason is, their presence has the potential to trigger health protol violations.

"The appeal is better for the supporters not to come there, it will even violate health protocols. Let's just follow the legal process", said Kombes Yusri.

However, if there are supporters who are stubborn and are caught violating health protocols, the police will take firm action.

"We guarantee it (supporters of breaking the rules)", Yusri continued.

Previously, the East Jakarta District Court stated that Rizieq Shihab's three cases would be held offline or face-to-face.

Three Charges of the Rizieq Case

First, Rizieq Shihab was charged with incitement to the appearance of a crowd at his daughter's wedding as well as commemorating the Prophet's birthday in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. This crowd is taking place in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to prosecutors, Rizieq Shihab and Haris Ubaidillah, Ahmad Sabri Lubis, Ali Alwi Alatas, Idrus alias Idrus Al Habsyi and Maman Suryadi were an incitement to the emergence of a crowd in Petamburan.

Second, Rizieq Shihab was charged with failing to comply with the implementation of health quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rizieq Shihab continued to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Markaz Syariah Agro-Cultural Islamic Boarding School in Kuta Village, Megamendung District, Bogor Regency.

Third, Rizieq Shihab was charged with spreading fake news or hoaxes that confused them. This news is related to his health condition which was confirmed positive for COVID-19 while at UMMI Hospital in Bogor, West Java.

According to the prosecutor, Rizieq's video stating that he was healthy even though COVID-19 had an impact on the occurrence of chaos. This is because the Padjadjaran Bersatu Community Forum (FMPB) held a demonstration on November 30.

"With the video showing that contradicts the reality, it has caused confusion among the people and caused an uproar both for and against", said the prosecutor.