MECCA, PINUSPRESS – Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab was reportedly being investigated by Saudi authorities over reports of display of Islamist extremist flag at his his in Mecca on Monday (5/11/2018).
The cleric self-exiled himself to Saudi Arabia after being charged for violating the 2008 Pornography Law in May 2017. Despite being called several times by authorities, Rizieq has refused to return to Indonesia until the case was dropped in June for its lack of evidence.
In September 2018, Embassy of Indonesia in Riyadh reported that Rizieq’s visa had expired and he has overstayed his welcome since.
“Our staff eventually informed that Mecca police went to Rizieq’s house on Monday morning to investigate the allegation of the installation of a black flag that resembles the flag of Islamist extremist groups, on the rear side of his house,” said Agus Maftuh Abegebriel, Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia after reports of Rizieq’s detention. He then continued, that legal assistance from Indonesian embassy has been deployed for Rizieq. Rizieq then was released on bail by the Saudi authorities on Tuesday 8.p.m local time.
Saudi Arabia is known to be very strict regarding the display of flags and other materials of extremist group, especially the Islamic State as it was considered dangerous. Prince Saud al-Faisal Al Saud, Saudi Foreign Minister, stated that the country is openly against Islamic State and anything that has to do with it.
Indonesian State Intelligence Agency was accused by some for being responsible of planting the flag and orchestrating Rizieq’s arrest at Saudi Arabia. They dismissed the accusations, saying that they were simply baseless rumors. “There is no evidence that BIN had installed the flag [at Rizieq’s] house, let alone took the picture [of the flag] and reported it to Saudi police,” informed BIN communications and information director Wawan Hari Purwanto.
Written by: Willy Gunardi
Pinus Press 