The Jakarta Metro Police yesterday arrested a man, identified as Iyus Rusman, who allegedly made a bomb threat against Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque.
Iyus, a security guard, sent a text message to the mosque’s caretakers on Saturday, threatening that he would blow up the house of worship. The police tracked him down and arrested him yesterday afternoon at his place of work, The Peak Residence apartments in Setiabudi, South Jakarta.
“The suspect was charged with Article 6 of Law no. 15/2003 on Terrorism Eradication,” Jakarta Metro Police Spokesman Argo Yuwono told the media today, as quoted by Detik.
The specified law states that acts or threats of terrorism may be punishable by anywhere from 4 years imprisonment to the death penalty.
The police’s bomb squad did not find any evidence of explosives planted in Istiqlal following Iyus’ bomb threat.
Nevertheless, police are still charging Iyus with terrorism as his threat caused public unrest.
“This [case serves as an example] so that people don’t fool around by sending terror messages,” Argo said.
Iyus’ arrest comes less than a week after two suicide bombers attacked a bus station in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, killing three police officers and injuring 12 others.
