The Indonesian police have detained seven individuals in connection with a terror plot targeting Pope Francis during his recent visit to Jakarta. The arrests, carried out by the national police anti-terrorism squad Detachment-88, took place between September 2 and 3 in various locations, including Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, West Sumatra, and the Bangka Belitung Islands.
Detachment-88 spokesperson Colonel Aswin Siregar confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and it has not yet been determined if the seven suspects are part of the same terror cell. He stated that the arrests were made following public tip-offs, which led to the discovery of suspicious items such as bows and arrows, a drone, and ISIS-related materials during a search of one suspect’s home.
Sources indicate that the militants were angered by Pope Francis’ visit to Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest, and the government’s decision to temporarily halt the broadcast of the azan (Islamic call to prayer) in favor of live coverage of the Pope’s visit. Some of the arrested individuals are believed to have pledged allegiance to ISIS, with one suspect linked to a 2019 attack on Indonesia’s former Chief Security Minister, Wiranto.
Pope Francis’ visit to Jakarta was part of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, which also includes stops in Singapore, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea. Despite the foiled attack, the Pope concluded his visit to Jakarta and continued his tour, celebrating Mass in Papua New Guinea and visiting remote Catholic communities in Vanimo. The tour will conclude with a visit to Singapore later this week.
