Police Statement Regarding Allegations That Ravio Patra Was Caught In The Spread Of Hoaxes

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - News has circulated that researcher and democracy activist Ravio Patra was arrested for being caught in a case of spreading hoaxes. This information has also been heard since, Thursday, April 23, morning.

Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus said, Ravio Patra was arrested by the ranks of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate around Jalan Gelora, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 night.

"Indeed, I confirmed last night from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Metro Jaya Regional Police to secure an RPA official," said Yusri in Jakarta, Thursday, April 23.

However, Yusri chose to be economical in talking about the case that caught Ravio Patra. The reason is that investigators are still investigating the case, including the alleged spread of fake news because Ravio's cellphone has been hacked.

Based on information circulating, Ravio's WhatsApp account was allegedly hacked because when it wanted to be used, the words 'You've registered your number on another phone' appeared. Then, after checking it, it turns out that in the message inbox there is a request for sending an OTP (one time password).

Ravio then reported it to the app's authorities. As a result, WhatsApp, through the Head of Security, stated that there was a breach from that account.

While being hacked, Ravio's WhatsApp account spread a message that read 'The crisis is time to burn! Come together and enliven April 30th, ask for the national looting, simultaneously, all the shops near us are free to loot '.

Regarding the alleged hacking, the police did not say much. "It is still being investigated (about the suspicion of being hacked). If there are any results, we will tell you," said Yusri, adding that investigators were still digging into Ravio's statement.

Meanwhile, Ravio's legal status in the case has yet to be named as a suspect.

"While the person concerned is still being investigated and investigated by the Criminal Investigation Unit of Polda Metro Jaya. We will wait for the results of the examination because this is suspected of spreading rumors," said Yusri.