Not Afraid Of COVID-19, Rizieq Shihab's Mass Still Crowds At Pondok Kopi Flyover, East Jakarta

Officers on guard around the Pondok Kopi flyover (Photo: screen capture era.id)

JAKARTA - Joint officers from the TNI-Polri elements are still on standby at the Pondok Kopi Flyover, East Jakarta, where Rizieq Shihab's sympathizers gather. Even though COVID-19 cases have soared in Jakarta, Rizieq's sympathizers don't care about this and continue to voice their aspirations.

Mass crowds were taken for granted. Several times the crowd was heard shouting to the officers to immediately release Rizieq Shihab.

A number of tactical vehicles were also prepared by officers to dispel crowds from moving to the East Jakarta District Court or anticipating riots.

The judge sentenced Rizieq Shihab to 4 years in prison for the swab case at the UMMI Bogor Hospital. Prosecutors last week charged Rizieq with 6 years in prison.

The officers continued to establish communication with the masses of Rizieq's sympathizers. It was observed that the traffic conditions were a bit stifled with the crowds.

The East Jakarta Metro Police previously arrested dozens of Rizieq Shihab sympathizers at the East Jakarta District Court. Various sharp weapons ranging from knives to slingshots were confiscated by officers from a sympathizer.

The number of sympathizers arrested was 200 people. Cakung Police Chief, Police Commissioner Satria Darma confirmed the arrests of these 200 people. "Yes, that's right, more than 200 people were taken to the East Jakarta Police," said Police Commissioner Satria.

Satria also added that there were a number of people who carried sharp weapons such as knives, but the Cakung Sector Police Chief had not provided further information on the number.

"There are those who carry a knife, a knife," said Satria.

Rizieq Shihab is scheduled to undergo a trial with a decision agenda for the swab test case at the UMMI Bogor Hospital at the East Jakarta District Court, Thursday. The trial verdict will also be followed by two other defendants, namely the President Director of RS UMMI Bogor, dr. Andi Tatat and Rizieq's son-in-law, Hanif Alatas.

Rizieq Shihab was sued by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) for six years in prison for the swab test case at the UMMI Hospital in Bogor.

The Public Prosecutor stated that Rizieq Shihab was guilty of violating Article 14 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of the 1946 Criminal Law Regulations.

Rizieq is considered to have committed a crime of false notification because he stated that his condition was healthy even though he was confirmed to have COVID-19 while being treated at the UMMI Bogor Hospital in November 2020.