Supporters of hardline Indonesian cleric clash with police in Jakarta

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Supporters of firebrand Indonesian cleric Rizieq Shihab clashed with police for the duration of a demonstration in Jakarta on Friday, right after demanding their non secular figurehead be unveiled from law enforcement detention.

Quite a few hundred protesters, some dressed in white Islamic garb, experienced collected in the capital of the world’s greatest Muslim-vast majority country, with scuffles breaking out soon after police advised the group huge gatherings have been prohibited amid the pandemic.

“For the basic safety of our souls…the police and the armed service will disperse (protesters) and act decisively,” a police officer instructed protesters, blasting the message by a audio process.

Indonesia is grappling with the worst coronavirus outbreak in Southeast Asia, averaging much more than 6,000 new conditions for every day this 7 days.

Police deployed 1000’s on the streets of Jakarta on Friday to guard the protest, with a new need for people to present a detrimental rapid COVID-19 test to enter the money probable thwarting some supporters from signing up for the rally.

Rizieq, the controversial chief of the Islamic Defenders’ Front (FPI) was arrested last weekend for allegedly violating coronavirus protocols after his current return to Indonesia following a few yrs in self-exile was marked with situations attended by 1000’s.

The phone calls for his launch also occur just after 6 of the cleric’s bodyguards ended up shot lifeless next a clash with police on a highway.

The FPI, the moment notorious for raiding bars and brothels, has grow to be additional politically influential in current many years, specially after serving to orchestrate mass rallies in opposition to Jakarta’s previous Christian governor in 2016 that were the premier in a long time.