ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS CLASH WITH WITNESS SUPPORTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001835

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS, DRL, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF, S/CT
NSC FOR E. PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV KIRF KISL PHUM ID
SUBJECT: ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS CLASH WITH WITNESS SUPPORTERS
AT TRIAL

REF: A. JAKARTA 1708

B. JAKARTA 1593 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: DepPol/C Stanley J. Harsha, reasons 1.4 (b+d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Islamic extremists and a moderate Muslim
paramilitary group clashed outside the courtroom during a
break at the trials of militants Rizieq Shihab and
Munarman--both are standing trial for their alleged
participation in an attack on a peaceful pro-pluralism rally
in Jakarta on June 1. Facing a lack of witness protection,
intimidation, and physical assault, witnesses from the
pro-pluralism group summoned the assistance of a paramilitary
wing of the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia--around
30 of whom came in support. The witnesses have threatened to
boycott the trial if the authorities will not protect them.
The group has filed complaints with government human rights
offices, but no action has been taken. Although positive
that the GOI is moving forward with the trials, the situation
is worsening. END SUMMARY


2. (C) During a break in the trials of Islamic Defender's
Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab and Islam Troop Commander
Munarman (one name only),members of FPI skirmished outside
the courthouse with around 30 members of Banser--a
paramilitary group associated with Indonesia's largest
Islamic organization, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) and Abdurrahman
Wahid's (Gus Dur) National Awakening Party (PKB). By and
large, NU is a very moderate organization consisting of
around 40 million Muslims. However, their paramilitary youth
wing became notorious in the mid 1960s for its attacks on
communists, labor unionists, and peasants. Between 1968 and
1999 they allegedly became more of a social club than a
dangerous paramilitary organization, eventually evolving into
so-called party police for the newly formed PKB.


3. (C) The militants are on trial for their alleged
involvement in an attack on a peaceful rally in Jakarta on
June 1. Dozens of activists from the National Alliance for
the Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) were injured in the
attack as police did little to protect them (See reftels).
If convicted, Rizieq and Munarman face 5-7 years in prison.


4. (C) NU's Banser and FPI have a long history of bad blood.
In 2006, Gus Dur's supporters were incensed when FPI members
forced Gus Dur off the stage at an interfaith meeting in West
Java because of his opposition to the anti-pornography bill.
Gus Dur supporters clashed with FPI members in East Java in
retaliation. Immediately following the June 1 attack in
which NU members also were injured, Banser and other
PKB-affiliated organizations converged on an FPI office in
East Java -- Gus Dur's stronghold -- prompting that FPI
branch to voluntarily disband its operations.


5. (C) Nong Darol, AKKBB organizer and former head of the
Liberal Islam Network (JIL),is currently coordinating the
witnesses in all the trials - there are four in total. Darol
told poloff that witnesses were being severely intimidated by
FPI members, who fill the courtroom and disrupt the hearings.
They continually shout insults during testimony--both at
police witnesses and AKKBB witnesses--and have been
videotaping all unknown attendees. Darol said the lead judge
in the two cases (there are three judges),Panusunan Harahap,
does little to stop the threatening FPI behavior, usually
only asking them to calm down, but rarely disciplining them.
He also easily loses control of the courtroom, adjourning
early on one occasion and requiring a police escort to leave.


WHERE ARE THE POLICE


6. (C) Darol told us the number of police present in and
around the courtroom depends on the day. Instead of

JAKARTA 00001835 002 OF 002


protecting the AKKBB activists, police generally blame them
when tensions arise and ask the AKKBB members to leave the
court building. The FPI are particularly brutal with female
witnesses, she said, with at least two of the witnesses
having withdrawn from the trial because they were
traumatized. Darol herself has been hit on several occasions
and groped by the FPI members, all in the presence of police.



7. (C) AKKBB activists have filed complaints with the
National Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS HAM) and the
National Commission on Violence Against Women (KOMNAS
PEREMPUAN). However, Darol told poloff that the government
has taken no action and has not assured the safety of the
witnesses. She said she had coordinated with the Banser to
come to the courthouse to show support for the witnesses, who
are now threatening to boycott the trials until the police
can provide greater protection. The GOI has been praised for
its swift arrest of the alleged perpetrators of the attacks
and for bring the cases quickly to trial. However, it
clearly needs to get involved in maintaining the integrity of
the process and the protection of the witnesses. We continue
to monitor the situation and express our concerns to GOI
officials.
HUME