Do Not Speculate Any Opinion on Church Attack: Police Chief
13 February 2018 07:08 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police Chief Gen Pol Tito Karnavian has asked the people to not speculate and cast opinions on the attack on St. Lidwina Church, Bedog, Yogyakarta Province, which could divide the community.
"Do not speculate on individual and unclear versions. Do not let this issue be used to divide our society," he said at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police office on Monday.
Read also: Jokowi on St. Lidwina Church Attack: No Place Here for Intolerant
Titi noted such incidents could trigger conflicts among religious believers. He has further asked the community to remain calm and entrust the handling of the case to the authorities.
"Entrust the completion of this case to the police and the government. I have also asked the Indonesian Military Commander to assign his intelligence to explore and investigate the case with the police. We will handle the case based on facts," he remarked.
Karnavian, who was the former head of National Counterterrorism Agency, has also ordered his staff to strengthen security at places of worship.
In this case, the police have questioned 11 witnesses to track the activities of the suspect, Suliyono, during his stopover in Yogyakarta.
According to the testimony of witnesses, Suliyono stopped in Yogyakarta on his way from Magelang, Central Java Province to Banyuwangi, East Java Province.
Based on the CCTV recordings, the police found that during his stay in Yogyakarta, the suspect stayed in a mosque.
Read also: Police Steps Up Investigation into Santa Lidwina Church Attack
Earlier, 22-year-old Suliyono attacked St. Santa Lidwina Church, Jambon Trihanggo, Gamping, Sleman, Yogyakarta, when Catholics held a mass service on Sunday morning.
Four people were injured during the incident. They were two members of the church congregation, identified as John and Budijono; a German priest named Prier; and a policeman, Adjunct Police Inspector One Munir.
Suliyono, a resident of Krajan, Pesanggrahan Banyuwangi, East Java Province, was paralyzed in the attack.
The perpetrator was taken to the hospital of Gadjah Mada University, Sleman, to undergo treatment. The victims were treated at the Panti Rapih Hospital, Sleman.
ANTARA
