Indonesian Police charge10 prominent people with treason and insulting the government

Nine others on the list are Gen. (ret) Kivlan Zein; former lawmaker Sri Bintang Pamungkas; Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, sister of former president and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri; artist Ratna Sarumpaet; and activists identified only as Adityawarman, Eko, Firza Huzein, Jamran and Rizal.

They have been accused of attempting to stir up sentiment against the government hours before a massive rally was to be held by Islamic organizations to call for the incarceration of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama at the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta on Friday.

“We have named them suspects and have therefore arrested them,” said National Police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar. He claimed that some of the suspects had conspired to topple the government during the Dec. 2 rally.

“We note they had a few intentions, such as occupying the House of Representatives and spreading provocation that was not in line with the purpose of the event,” Boy said.

He further said the 10 suspects were suspected of conspiring together over the last three weeks. 

Seven of the suspects have been charged with violating Article 107 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on treason, while the remaining three have been charged with violating Article 207 of the KUHP on insulting the government. Several of them have also been charged under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.