FPI Embassy Riot

Feb 20th, 2006, in News, by

The Islam Defenders Front, FPI, have long had almost a free reign in Jakarta going about intimidating people and wrecking places and yesterday’s protest at the US embassy, in which the youths of the FPI went on the rampage and threw rocks and smashed windows, we hope will be the final straw in how they are treated.

The Jakarta Post reports:

Hundreds of protesters from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) attacked the U.S. Embassy on Sunday during a rally accusing Washington of masterminding the controversy about cartoons of Prophet Muhammad to destroy Islam.

…in what U.S. Ambassador B. Lynn Pascoe later called a “premeditated act of thuggery” to garner media attention, the group — estimated at 400-strong by wire services — began hurling stones and traffic cones at the windows of embassy security posts outside the compound’s gates.

General Sutanto of the police has said that this time at least they won’t be able to get away with it.

Whoever disturbs the peace will be punished. (Siapapun yang melakukan gangguan keamanan tentunya akan diberi sanksi hukum.)

He also said the police were investigating the video evidence and would soon lay charges against FPI members.


10 Comments on “FPI Embassy Riot”

  1. Felis says:
    February 20, 2006 at 9:02 pm

    ..FPI, have long had almost a free reign in Jakarta

    Why is that?

    … soon lay charges against FPI members..

    Genuine intention?

  2. David says:
    February 20, 2006 at 9:44 pm

    There is an argument that the police don’t step on them because it’s profitable for them to not. Restaurant, brothel, bar, and disco owners will pay the police for protection against them.

    I expect the intention is genuine, it was all on tv.

  3. David says:
    February 21, 2006 at 8:10 am

    Well so far one person has been arrested and charged for damaging property. He was arrested at the scene while another two men, who haven’t been charged, were picked up later.

  4. David says:
    February 22, 2006 at 1:53 am

    Another three men are now said to be wanted. The police spokesman said they are looking for both the people who vandalised the embassy as well as those who urged them on.

  5. David says:
    February 23, 2006 at 8:10 am

    The chairman of the Islamic Defenders Front says he is ready to help police to catch some of those responsible for the damage to the US embassy. He said if the police give him the names or photos of the men who are being hunted he will hand them over if they are FPI members.

  6. Felis says:
    February 26, 2006 at 1:54 am

    Thanks Patung for the additional info.
    I visit your blog almost every day – just not always comment.

  7. Richard says:
    June 5, 2006 at 11:02 pm

    I keep being told that Indo overall is pretty open to western tourists…but sometimes reading things like this make we wonder if I should continue making plans to visit…

  8. Rockstar says:
    June 7, 2006 at 2:41 pm

    Mr Richard,

    Well I can’t tell, if it’s safe or not. When are you planning on visiting Indonesia?

  9. samsth7 says:
    June 2, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    Yeah….

    You all know what ? FPI attack the peace demonstration on June 1st, at the National Monument Jakarta.

    But please, still visit Indonesia…..

    Visit Indonesia Year 2008
    Celebrate the 100 years of National Awakening

  10. Janma says:
    June 3, 2008 at 10:26 am

    Celebrate the 100 years of National Awakening

    What IS that sound!?….. Wait a minute…. is that? no it can’t be…. Snoring?!

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