Indonesia: Some treason suspects released amid probe

By Ainur Romah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) - Police have released eight of 11 suspects arrested on suspicions of conspiring to overthrow the Indonesian government.

Police spokesman Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar was quoted as saying by detik.com Saturday that the other three would be detained for 20 days for further questioning.

"The investigation still ongoing, without holding those declared as suspects [since] we've stored the evidence," he said.

Most of the arrests took place several hours before the start of a large rally Friday to demand the arrest of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on blasphemy charges.

According to Amar, those arrested were not connected to the protest but wanted to take advantage of the hundreds of thousands taking part in it to reach their goals.

A well known musician-cum-politician, a retired two-star army general, a former lawmaker, and the sister of former president and ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri were among those arrested.

Of the suspects, eight are accused of plotting acts of treason, two of spreading hate speech and one of insulting the president.

Police decided to regard their efforts as treason as they allegedly involved incitement and not just criticisms of the government.

"We suspect they will take advantage of the masses to occupy the parliament and impose special session which would then demand a change of government," Amar said Saturday.

Police had been investigating their activities for three weeks.

Friday's protest -- named "Action to Defend Islam III" -- was the latest in a wave of sprawling protests to descend on the capital to demand the acceleration of legal proceedings against Ahok.

He is accused of publicly insulting Islam, however he says he was calling for people not to be “deceived” by those using one of Quran's verses, Al Maidah: Chapter 51, not that the verse itself was insulting.

Around 13 different parties have reported him to the police on charges of defamation.