Ganug Nugroho Adi, Surakarta, Central Java – The National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad has arrested a suspected terrorist in Jatiteken village, Mojolaban, Sukoharjo, Central Java, following a recent suicide bombing attempt in nearby Kartasura.
The suspect, identified as Sugeng Riyadi, was nabbed on Sunday while riding a motorcycle from a mosque to his parents' house. Sugeng is a resident of Semanggi subdistrict in Pasar Kliwon district, Surakarta, Central Java.
"I was picked up by the police to witness the search at [Sugeng's] house. He was arrested around the mosque at his parents' house," Supandi, the chief of the neighborhood community, said on Monday.
During the search at the house, the police seized a cell phone and confiscated Sugeng's motorcycle.
It is unclear whether the arrest of Sugeng, a sandal and clothes seller at Klithikan Market, is related to a failed suicide bombing that wounded the perpetrator on June 3, two days before Idul Fitri.
Mojolaban Police chief Adj. Comr. Priyono confirmed the arrest, but refused to go into detail about it. "Don't ask me, ask the National Police," he said.
The suspect's mother, Sri Redjeki, said she did not know why her son was arrested. "I don't know why he was arrested. I just know he is a calm person and good to his neighbors," she said.(jun)