Indonesian firebrand cleric Rizieq Shihab gestures as he arrives in court to testify in the blasphemy trial of Jakarta's Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as
The wanted Islamic Defenders Front leaderRizieq Shihab looks like he's having a good time in Saudi Arabia.
After he got the opportunity to meet controversial Islamic cleric Zakir Naik on Tuesday, he also got a visit from the founder of National Mandate Party(PAN) Amien Rais in ahotel not far from the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Rizieq's lawyer, Sugito Atmo Prawiro saidthe meeting took place on Wednesday after Maghrib prayer. Sugito confirmed that it was only a friendly meeting. "That's correct, he'd just met Amien Rais," told Sugito to Merdeka.com.
Photo: Twitter
During the meeting, the two discusseda number of issues occurring in Indonesia at the moment, among them was the law enforcement in Indonesia that Rizieq and Amien believed to be selective and only targets people who are not in line with the government.
"Those who are anti-government tend to be criminalized and legally fought against," said Sugito.
This wasn't the first time they met. Amien was Rizieq's allyin November 4 rally where both demanded the now-detained Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to be prosecuted.
Photo: Twitter
Amien's son Hanafi Rais, who is a member of Commission I of the House of Representatives was also seen on the occasion.
Previously, Rizieq was reportedly to have met Zakir Naik in Saudi Arabia. According to Sugito, Rizieq was only expressing his gratitude to Zakir Naik for having visited Indonesia a few months ago.
Photo: Twitter
Rizieq Shihab was named a suspect for his sex-chat case on May 29, 2017. He was reportedly going to extend his visa to stay in Saudi Arabia for another one year on June 6, 2017 despite several summoning attempts by the police for questioning.
Amien Rais himself is currentlyinvolved in a dispute with Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). His name was mentioned by the KPK prosecutor to have received money from former Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari, who allegedly committed corruption in a procurement of medical equipment.
(brl/red)
