Roughly Dragged Without Sandals, Amnesty International Considers Munarman's Arrest Inhuman

Densus 88 arrests Munarman (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Amnesty International Executive Director, Usman Hamid, considers the police arrest of the former General Secretary of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Munarman to be inhuman.

Usman thought that the authorities arrest Munarman arbitrarily. When they were forcibly picked him up, the police were deemed to have no respect for the values of human rights (HAM).

“Dragging violently, not allowing him to wear footwear (sandals), covering his eyes with a black cloth is an inhuman and degrading treatment. This violates the presumption of innocence,” said Usman in his statement, as quoted on Thursday, April 29.

Munarman was arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorism. However, for Usman, allegations of terrorism are not an excuse to violate someone's human rights when he is arrested.

"Munarman did not appear to have endangered the officers and there was no sense of urgency by the authorities to carry out this forced action. Munarman's rights must be respected regardless of the alleged crime," said Usman.

Plus, law enforcement officials must consider the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Munarman was arrested blindfolded without giving the opportunity to wear a mask.

"Law enforcers must be more sensitive, consider health protocols and the right to health of people who want to be arrested or detained, including providing masks to those that cover the mouth and nose. Instead of leaving them open and covering their eyes with a black cloth," he explained.

Therefore, the Police must conduct an evaluation of the members of Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88) who made the arrests. This is because Usman suspects that there was a violation of the SOP in the process of arresting Munarman.

As is known, Munarman was arrested by Densus 88 on Tuesday, April 27 at around 15.30 western Indonesia time at Modern Hills Housing, Cinangka, Pamulang, South Tangerang. When he arrived at Metro Jaya Police, Munarman was taken blindfolded and handcuffed.

Munarman is suspected of mobilizing other people to commit criminal acts of terrorism, conspiring to commit criminal acts of terrorism, and withholding information about criminal acts of terrorism.

After Munarman was arrested, the Densus 88 Team also conducted a search at the former FPI banned mass organization office in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. During the search, the team found the explosive raw materials for TATP or triacetone triperoxide, acetone, and nitrates.