Head of the Indonesian Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab is searched by police in Cilacap, Central Java, on January 26, 2016, before the trial of Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (unseen). (AFP Photo/Muhammad Azka)
As the police plan to release an arrest warrant to get the FPI leader, a legion of lawyers is said to be prepared to defend him.
30 Mei 2017 11:07
After Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leaderRizieqShihabwas named a suspect on a pornography case yesterday, his supporters started to launch a fight to defend the firebrand cleric.
Rizieqwas named a suspect after an investigation held on Monday, where investigators decided that they had enough evidence to change his status from witness to suspect.
Rizieqwas never questioned for the case as he failed to appear for questioning twice.
Investigators has found enough evidence, and from the investigation we changed his status to a suspect, Jakarta Police Spokesperson Sr.Commr. ArgoYuwonosaid yesterday. There are the chats, a cellphone and others.
Argo added that the investigators will release an arrest warrant today. They will also work together with National Polices International Division to look forRizieqas he was last known to be staying in Saudi Arabia.
The division will then release a red notice forRizieqso Interpol can help them to locateRizieq.
Not going down without a fight
One of Rizieqs lawyers,KapitraAmpera, said thatRizieqdid not receive the news well.
Hes very emotional and he wants to return as soon as possible,Kapitrasaid yesterday to reporters in Tebet.Let him get closer to God (in Saudi Arabia) so hell get new energy and clarity to act once hes back home.
But how soon is as soon as possible?
Kapitradid not give an exact date. Hopefully, hell be here by 1Syawal, he said.
1Syawalis theEidday, which according to the calendar falls on June 25.
Inthe meantime,Rizieqs legal team will try to fight the police on his status.
Starting this second, were on war. Well use legal instruments, well fight constitutionally, well file judicial review, well fight the naming as suspect, well file the case to the court, well sue them (the police) to international institutions,Kapitrasaid.
To start it off, the legal team will file a pretrial against the status. And they do not play around.
Now we have listed 726 lawyers to defend him cleric lawyers and activists, he said. We also have international lawyers from London waiting. Four of them.
Whether the legal team really consists of that many lawyers, we have yet to be able to confirm.
Kapitraalso promises that Riziqs supporters will file reports to the police to urge them to find whoever upload the sex-chats and naked pictures of alleged Rizieq's mistress, Firza Husein.
Tomorrow, around 1,000 people, will file police reports. InAceh, Padang, everywhere. We have to start findingwhosbehind the (chats) distribution as it is a criminal act. But why don't the police chase this person? he said.
And when asked whether FPI or GNPF MUI will do their favorite thing gathering thousands of people to rally for their cause Kapitrawould not promise anything.
Its Ramadan and we should focus on praying and doing good deeds, but I can't guarantee anything. Peoples reaction is similar to Rizieqs reaction: discontented, angry and sad. But its the fasting month, we don't want to disturb it, he said.
Asking for help from the Big Guy
Meanwhile,Rizieqs other lawyer,EggiSudjana, decided to fight forRiziequsing a different approach.
With respect, we ask (President)Jokowito order the National Police Chief to stop the case or release an order to freeze the investigation,Eggisaid yesterday inPetamburan.
President Jokowi has yet to respond to the appeal, but there's a big chance that he would not do anything as he once promised that he will not interfere with any ongoing legal process.
