Checked For 14 Hours, Rizieq Shihab Was Asked 84 Questions

Head of Police Public Relations Division Inspector General Prabowo Argo Yuwono (Photo: Polri Public Relations documentation)

JAKARTA - Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Prabowo Argo Yuwono, said that during the 14-hour examination, the Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab was questioned by dozens of questions.

He said this examination was carried out starting at 11.30 WIB after Rizieq first carried out a health check and swab test to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

"During the interrogation, investigators gave 84 questions to the MRS suspect. So starting at 11.30 and ending at 22.00," said Argo in a press conference after Rizieq Shihab was detained, Sunday, December 13, early morning.

After the examination was completed, the investigation report (BAP) was then read out and Rizieq had corrected or added something as the suspect being investigated.

"After completing the examination and reading back the BAP, some were corrected and added by the suspect. So, we think we were served well," he said.

Furthermore, Argo said that his party had also given Rizieq what was right when he was examined as a suspect, starting from assisting the lawyer during the examination to being given the opportunity to rest. "We have given everything humanistly," he said.

It is known that after undergoing an examination, Rizieq Shihab was immediately detained at the Jakarta Police Ditnarkoba Detention Center. He walked out of the General Criminal Directorate Building in the early hours of Sunday, December 13 at around 00.25 WIB.

Rizieq came out with his hands tied in an orange vest and climbed straight into the detention car. At that time, a number of his supporters who were present shouted takbir and a female supporter asked why the FPI leader was handcuffed.

This morning, Rizieq arrived at the General Criminal Directorate Building of Polda Metro Jaya in a silver Mitsubishi Pajero. He appeared to be accompanied by a number of people, including the General Secretary of FPI Munarman.

Before entering, he had said that he was in good health and ready to take part in the examination according to the laws and regulations. Meanwhile, when asked about his detention and his attitude towards the article which became the basis for his determination as a suspect, Rizieq was reluctant to answer further.

"We don't know that it hasn't been checked. The important thing is that I have an investigation regarding the crowd," he said.

In this case, Polda Metro Jaya has named Rizieq a suspect in the alleged violation of the health protocol. In addition, there were five other people who were also named suspects in the alleged violation of protocol at Rizieq's celebration.

Rizieq is scheduled to have two interrogations by the Police. However, he did not come to answer the call.

He was charged under Articles 160 and 216 of the Criminal Code. Article 160 of the Criminal Code concerning Incitement to Violence and Not Complying with the provisions of the law, with the threat of six years imprisonment or a fine of IDR 4,500.

Meanwhile, Article 216 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code concerning Obstacles to Legal Provisions. The threat is imprisonment of four months and two weeks or a fine of Rp9,000.