Indonesian police reveal identities of officials targeted for assassination

Indonesian police on May 28 revealed the identities of four officials targeted in a failed assassination plot believed to be linked to violent protests that broke out in the capital Jakarta last week.

Mr. Wiranto, one of four officials targeted in a failed assassination plot. Photo: Antara News

According to the police, the four figures include Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Wiranto, Director of the National Intelligence Agency Budi Gunawan, Presidential Security and Intelligence Adviser Gories Mere and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan.

Police also said they had arrested 10 people for spreading false and fraudulent information about the riots.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Wiranto said the purpose of the plot to assassinate the state figures was to spread fear.

Earlier, Indonesian police said they had arrested six suspects, including one woman, in connection with the assassination plot. They said the suspects had conducted many gun sales and purchases, and had received a large amount of money to carry out the plan.

The suspects were arrested and charged under the 1951 emergency law with illegal possession and supply of weapons, and could face life in prison if convicted.

Indonesian authorities know the identity of the person who ordered the assassination, national police spokesman Muhammad Iqbal said.

News of the assassination plot came a week after clashes between crowds and police during protests left eight people dead and more than 900 injured in the capital Jakarta.

Violent protests broke out after the Indonesian Election Commission (KPU) announced the final results of the 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The No. 1 candidate pair, incumbent President Joko Widodo and his running mate Ma'ruf Amin, received 55.5% of the votes, while the No. 2 candidate pair, rival candidates Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga, only won 44.5% of the votes.

Mr. Prabowo declared that he did not accept this result and filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court./.