Rizieq Shihab Becomes A Suspect In The Megamendung Crowd Case

Rizieq Shihab while in Bogor some time ago (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Police Criminal Investigation Unit named the High Priest of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab as a suspect in the alleged health protocol (prokes) case that took place in Megamendung, West Java. Determination of the suspect is based on evidence and case title.

"Yes, it has (been named a suspect)," said the Director of General Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, Brigadier General Andi Rian in his statement, Wednesday, December 23.

According to Andi, investigators applied a different article to the crowd case in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. Investigators fully use articles related to health quarantine.

In this case, the investigator used Article 14 paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of Law Number 4 of 1984 concerning Contagious Disease Outbreaks, Article 93 of Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine, and Article 216 of the Criminal Code.

"Based on the title of the case, the investigator uses the quarantine law," he said.

Previously, the West Java Regional Police raised the status of the crowd in Megamendung, Bogor from investigation to investigation. The increase in the status of this case is based on the results of the examination of witnesses and experts.

One of the witnesses questioned was West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. He was questioned at the Police Criminal Investigation Unit on 20 November. Approximately 7 hours he was questioned by the investigation team by asking 29 questions.

The crowd case occurred when Rizieq attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the pesantren, on November 13. His arrival attracted the attention of the public, but many did not apply health protocols by not wearing masks.