Indonesia Ambon Provocateur Arrested

VIVAnews - An hour before a Molotov cocktail was thrown into a retail fuel kiosk in Ambon on Thursday night, police arrested the alleged riot perpetrator.

"At 11 p.m local time, the Criminal Investigation of Maluku Regional Police apprehended one of the suspects carrying self-assembled firearms," said Maluku Regional Police Deputy Chief, Sr. Comm. Heru Prastowo at his office on Friday.

The perpetrator was known by an initial of RM, 31. Ten 38-caliber bullets were also seized from the suspect's hand. "The Criminal Investigation bureau also seized cash amounting to Rp3 million, comprising Rp50,000 note, and 21 notes of Rp100,000." The suspect was charged of violating article of Emergency Law," he went on.

The suspect was captured in Ay Patti area. "In front of a karaoke cafe." The police deputy chief went on by saying that he was acting suspiciously and he could afford renting a house.

What was the role of the person being caught? Is it associated with the clash on September 11, the provocation on Thursday morning, or a bomb thrown last night? The police deputy chief replied, "It is still under investigation."

For information, Ambon had been disturbed by a number of clashes among people that rose due to provocations.

On September 11, 2011, a clash broke out and killed nine people. It was triggered by an irresponsible SMS about the cause of death of a motorcycle taxi rider.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, October 2, 2011, two provocateurs on a motorcycle pelting rocks at some houses provoked reactions from two different groups. The result, two shops and a house were burned down. Three people were injured.

The latest incident occurred on Thursday night. Two men threw Molotov cocktails at the petrol kiosk on the sidewalk. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured in the incident.

--

Coverage by: Abdul Karim | Ambon