^

World

Indonesia arrests seven over Pope Francis 'terror threats'

Agence France-Presse
Indonesia arrests seven over Pope Francis 'terror threats'
Pope Francis reacts as he leaves Vatican's diplomatic mission in Jakarta for the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport ahead of his departure to Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby on September 6, 2024. Pope Francis left Indonesia for Papua New Guinea on September 6 on the second leg of an arduous 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific, after delivering a message of religious unity in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.
AFP / Yasuyoshi Chiba

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia arrested seven people for making "terror threats" online against Pope Francis during his visit to the world's most populous Muslim-majority country this week, police said Friday.

The 87-year-old pontiff made Southeast Asia's biggest economy the first stop of an arduous Asia-Pacific tour, delivering a message of religious unity to counter extremism and intolerance.

The suspects were arrested in cities around the capital Jakarta, and the provinces of West Sumatra and Bangka Belitung, Indonesia's elite counter-terrorism unit Densus 88 spokesman Aswin Siregar told reporters.

They are accused of posting statements and images online that threatened bomb attacks on the pope's public meetings in Jakarta.

"Densus 88 has taken legal action against seven individuals... who made threats in the form of propaganda or terror threats via social media in response to the pope's arrival," Aswin told reporters.

"There was also a threat to set fire to the locations," he added.

His schedule included visits to Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, Jakarta's cathedral, the presidential palace and the national football stadium.

The beliefs of the suspects were not disclosed by authorities but Indonesia has long struggled with Islamist militancy.

Bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people and were the deadliest attacks in the country's history.

Security has been stepped up for the pope's visit, with roads around key sites where he is scheduled to visit being re-routed or closed.

A security detail of around 4,000 personnel, including snipers, soldiers, police and his security team, protected him before he departed for the rest of his trip in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

vuukle comment

POPE FRANCIS

Philstar
x
  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Recommended
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with