Police: Prabowo Cannot Intervene in Rizieq Shihab Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo asserted that presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto could not intervene in the police’s investigation into the case of Rizieq Shihab even if he was elected as president. 

Dedi Prasetyo made this statement following rumors that Prabowo and Sandiaga Uno would be pressed into exercising their constitutional rights to bring home Rizieq Shihab as mentioned in the 16th point of the Itjima ulama II meeting. 

“The president has always stated that legal proceedings will be handled by the authorities. It is untrue that there will be any intervention. It depends on how the legal proceedings are run,” said Dedi at the National Police headquarters today. 

Read: Fadli Zon Comments on Amien Rais, Prabowo, Rizieq Meeting

Earlier reports said Prabowo and members of the National Movement to Safeguard the Ulema Fatwa (GNPF) inked an integrity pact following the group’s second meeting held on Sunday, September 16.

The integrity pact states that Prabowo Subianto will have to be ready to exercise his constitutional rights as president to rehabilitate, guarantee Rizieq’s travel home, and recover Rizieq’s rights as an Indonesian citizen. Rizieq is known to have fled to Saudi Arabia after being incriminated in a pornography-related criminal case, which was recently dropped by the police for lack of evidence.

“The follow up [on Rizieq Shihab’s case] will be announced by the head of the criminal investigation agency (Bareskrim),” said Dedi said.

ANDITA RAHMA