Indonesian Counterterrorist Police Sweep Former FPI Offices in Makassar, South Sulawesi

MAKASSAR, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian National Police’s Detachment 88 [Densus 88] counterterrorist unit has raided the former offices of the Islamic Defenders Front [FPI] in Makassar, South Sulawesi province on Tuesday.

The attack occurred less than a week after the police arrested FPI’s ex-secretary general Munarman to determine his awareness about the hardline group’s ties with ISIS as well as regional terror groups like Jamaah Ansharut Daulah [JAD].

South Sulawesi Regional Police spokesman Grand Police Commissioner E. Zulpan confirmed that the raid took place.

Also read: Indonesia Arrests Ex-Hardline Group Islamic Defenders Front Islamic Secretary General

“The bust is carried out to determine the FPI’s involvement in the Makassar Cathedral suicide bombing,” he said of the attack, which killed the two suicide bombers after a Palm Sunday mass on March 28. Zulpan’s observation is backed by the dozens of armed men secured the area.

“Investigators will also try to determine [the FPI’s connections] with the Villa Mutara group militants, which was accused of the Makassar Cathedral attack,” he added of the group, which was named after the housing complex where they held their activities.

He declined to disclose about the items that were seized as evidence during the raid.

Also read: Indonesian Police Arrest Dozens Over Makassar Cathedral Bombing

Zulpan maintained that “a number of FPI members also doubled as members of the Villa Mutiara group of militants that were caught by the police in the eponymously named housing complex. The FPI also pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015, in a ceremony attended by Munarman.”

The police arrested Munarman at his house in South Tangerang on April 27, on grounds that he incited terrorism and obstructed police investigations of the crime.