Bandung, NU Online
West Java Police are investigating a possible link between 10 suspects in a swindling case and the Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement.
Police are also investigating any links between the suspects and the Ma'had Az Zaytun boardinghouse in Indramayu, West Java, after police found posters carrying mentions of the house during the arrest of the suspects.<>
West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Dade Ahmad said all the possible links were being investigated and he promised to make public the results of these investigations as soon as possible.
"We found a poster mentioning Az Zaytun but we have yet to find any evidence linking it (to the suspects)," Dade said in Bandung on Tuesday.
Police have charged the suspects under Article 387 of the Criminal Code on swindling, which carries a maximum punishment of four years in prison.
Over the last few days, West Java Police have arrested 17 people at two housing complexes -- Bumi Cihanjuang in Parongpong, Bandung regency, and Bumi Asri in Cihanjuang, Cimahi -- in connection to the case.
Most recently arrived in Bandung from nearby cities like Bogor, Sukabumi, Subang and Sumedang.
The arrests were made after police were contacted by residents who were suspicious to see so many outsiders gathering at the two complexes.
Dade said police had also confiscated three mountain bikes, 13 motorcycles and four cars as evidence.
"We are investigating where the funds from the NII movement goes as each new recruit is reportedly asked to give money. The investigation is expected to uncover the motive behind the recruitment of the new movement members," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.
The police focus on the NII began after several former movement members alerted the West Java Police about the activities of the group.
They asked the police to investigate the group, which they warned was a "deviant" movement that sought to establish an Islamic state.
Ahmad Dede, one of the former NII members, said the police's efforts to break up the movement should be supported by all levels of society.
Dede said movement members were obliged to give monthly "contribution", which supposedly are used to buy a "plot in heaven".
"The dangerous thing is that many new NII members are forced to commit crimes like stealing or cheating to get the money," he said. (dar)
West Java Police are investigating a possible link between 10 suspects in a swindling case and the Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement.
Police are also investigating any links between the suspects and the Ma'had Az Zaytun boardinghouse in Indramayu, West Java, after police found posters carrying mentions of the house during the arrest of the suspects.<>
West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Dade Ahmad said all the possible links were being investigated and he promised to make public the results of these investigations as soon as possible.
"We found a poster mentioning Az Zaytun but we have yet to find any evidence linking it (to the suspects)," Dade said in Bandung on Tuesday.
Police have charged the suspects under Article 387 of the Criminal Code on swindling, which carries a maximum punishment of four years in prison.
Over the last few days, West Java Police have arrested 17 people at two housing complexes -- Bumi Cihanjuang in Parongpong, Bandung regency, and Bumi Asri in Cihanjuang, Cimahi -- in connection to the case.
Most recently arrived in Bandung from nearby cities like Bogor, Sukabumi, Subang and Sumedang.
The arrests were made after police were contacted by residents who were suspicious to see so many outsiders gathering at the two complexes.
Dade said police had also confiscated three mountain bikes, 13 motorcycles and four cars as evidence.
"We are investigating where the funds from the NII movement goes as each new recruit is reportedly asked to give money. The investigation is expected to uncover the motive behind the recruitment of the new movement members," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.
The police focus on the NII began after several former movement members alerted the West Java Police about the activities of the group.
They asked the police to investigate the group, which they warned was a "deviant" movement that sought to establish an Islamic state.
Ahmad Dede, one of the former NII members, said the police's efforts to break up the movement should be supported by all levels of society.
Dede said movement members were obliged to give monthly "contribution", which supposedly are used to buy a "plot in heaven".
"The dangerous thing is that many new NII members are forced to commit crimes like stealing or cheating to get the money," he said. (dar)
