Arrested By Densus 88, Which Terror Group Is Affiliated With Munarman?

Former General Secretary of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Munarman (Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI)

JAKARTA - Densus 88 Anti-terror arrested former FPI General Secretary Munarman on Tuesday, April 27. Munarman is suspected of being involved in a terrorism case.

Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono, said that Munarman was arrested at the Bukit Modern Housing in Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, at around 15.30 WIB.

"Yes (Munarman was arrested)", said Argo to VOI, Wednesday, April 28.

After the arrest, Densus 88 immediately searched the former FPI DPP office located at Petamburan 3 Street, Central Jakarta. Densus 88 is looking for additional evidence and information related to the alleged involvement of terror acts.

"Starting from the arrest of suspected terrorists then followed up with searches", he said.

In addition, the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Kombes Ahmad Ramadhan, said that Rizieq Shihab's lawyer was involved in acts of terrorism because he was connected with the allegiance of suspected terrorists in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"So it is related to the allegation case at Jakarta State Islamic University, the allegation case in Makassar and following the allegiance in Medan. So there are three things", said Ramadhan.

If you recall a little, Munarman's name was indeed mentioned by a suspected terrorist named Ahmad Aulia. In fact, the confession went viral on social media in early February 2021.

Based on the video uploaded by the @sahaL_AS Twitter account, the man decided to pledge allegiance to FPI along with hundreds of other sympathizers.

"I took the pledge at that time together with a hundred members of the FPI sympathizers and troops. At the FPI Makassar headquarters on Sungai Limboto road, Makassar", the man was quoted as saying on the @sahaL_AS account.

In addition, at the time the man took a pledge was attended by former FPI General Secretary Munarman. Then, in the baiat (inauguration) process, it was led by two religious leaders.

"I took the pledge to be attended by Munarman as the central FPI committee at that time. Ustad Fauzan and Ustad Basri who led the allegiance at that time", he said.

The allegation of Munarman's involvement in a terrorist group was also getting stronger after Densus 88 Anti-terror found evidence. Some of the raw materials for making bombs or explosives were from the former FPI DPP office.

"Then several tubes whose contents are powder are put in bottles whose powders contain very high levels of nitrate in the acetone type and that will also be investigated by investigators. Finally, several plastic bottles are containing TATP liquid", said Ramadhan.

The two pieces of evidence have similarities with items found during the arrest of Husein Hasni (HH), who is now a terrorist suspect. But the evidence will be investigated by the Police Center for Research and Development.

"This TATP liquid is an Aston used for explosives similar to those found in Condet and Bekasi some time ago. Forensic Laboratory Center will also investigate the contents of the liquid content", said Ramadhan.

In addition, Densus 88 Anti-terror also confiscated various FPI attributes. Even though the organization has been banned by the government.

"During the search at the secretariat office of the forbidden mass organizations, it was found that the first was the attributes of the forbidden mass organizations that had been banned by the government, so several attributes were prohibited. Then several documents would certainly be examined by Densus 88 investigators", said Ramadhan.