The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a riot in a maximum-security prison that has left six people dead and one hostage
by Mathias Hariyadi

About 130 inmates suspected or convicted of terrorism are held at the Mako Brimob detention centre. Some reports indicate they are linked to Amman Abdurrahman, leader of the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorist group. Former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama is held at the safe facility and is safe.

 

 

 


Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Members of Densus 88, the Special Forces counter-terrorism squad of the Indonesian police, have surrounded the headquarters of the National Police Mobile Brigade (Mako Brimob) in Kelapa Dua, Depok Regency (West Java).

For the past 24 hours, the building has been the scene of a riot by a group of prisoners linked to the Islamic State (IS) group. The latter has claimed responsibility for the riot which has left five police agents and one prisoner dead.

At present, the authorities are negotiating the release of another agent. At least four people have been tasked with talking to the detainees, who are allegedly linked to the leader of the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorist group, Amman Abdurrahman, who is an inmate in the building.

According to Jakarta police, the riot began around 7:30 pm last night. One of the inmates asked for food that had been brought by a family member but the meal had been held back by a police officer. The prisoner protested violently and was joined by other prisoners, who started to riot in blocks B and C.

The rioters broke through the walls and prison bars, and got inside investigators' room, where they attacked the agents who were interrogating new inmates, taking their weapons.

Mako Brimob is a maximum-security prison and holds about 130 prisoners suspected or convicted in terrorism-related cases.

Former Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama is also being held in the facility for security reasons. He was sentenced to two years in jail on blasphemy charges.

Ahok’s sister and former personal assistant confirm that he is safe since he is in another block, separated from the terrorists.