Islamic groups demand dissolution of anti-terror squad

us BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta |

Anti-terror backlash: Activists of Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid and the Islamic Community Forum (FUI) rally outside the National Police Headquarters on Friday to demand dissolution of the counterterrorism squad. The rally diverted journalists’ attention from the much-anticipated arrival of celebrities Ariel Peterpan and Luna Maya for questioning.

Activists of Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid and the Islamic Community Forum (FUI) rally outside the National Police Headquarters on Friday to demand dissolution of the counterterrorism squad. The rally diverted journalists’ attention from the much-anticipated arrival of celebrities Ariel Peterpan and Luna Maya for questioning. –

About 200 activists of Islamic groups rallied outside the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, demanding dissolution of the counterterrorism squad.

The protesters from the Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid and the Islamic Community Forum (FUI) said the anti-terror squad, better known as Densus 88, had often killed innocent people in their crackdown on terrorist suspects.

"For example, a dead body they call as a terrorist suspect has remained unidentified until today. This proves that the Densus 88 tends to shoot at anybody they don't like without sufficient evidence. They are more barbaric than infidels," a protester said.

He was referring to one of three terrorist suspects who were shot dead in Cawang by the anti-terror squad last month. So far the police have yet to unveil the dead man.

The activists said international aid that went to the squad constituted foreign intervention in the country.

In response to the rally, National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Zainuri Lubis said the police had never caught suspects without evidence. "All the raids were legitimate," he said.

The protesters dispersed peacefully at 4 p.m.


Kesasar's musings:
(''They are more barbaric than infidels," a protester said. more barbaric than infidels? happy to see that a protester is so well informed concerning his or her own religion! What is more barbaric than a terrorist who blows up innocent people by the score, professing to be Muslim, yet knows so little about the Holy Quran?)