Jakarta – Police have officially detained Islam Troop Command leader Munarman at the City Police headquarters for allegedly masterminding the National Monument (Monas) ambush on June 1.

"He has been in custody since 6 p.m.," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen Abubakar Nataprawira said Tuesday.

He said Munarman was charged with breaching three articles of the Criminal Code: Article 160 on provocation, Article 170 on ambush and Article 351 on oppressive acts.

Munarman will not face trial for some time because of the long procedure and numerous dossiers, but the police will work as fast as possible, Abubakar said. "We can detain him for 20 days and if necessary, we can extend the detention to 40 days," he said.

Abubakar said Munarman had the right to request bail, but the investigating officers would have the final say in approving his request.

M. Guntur Romli, a victim in the Monas attack, said he hoped the police would investigate the violence professionally. Guntur and at least 70 other members of the National Alliance for the Freedom of Faith and Religion were injured during the attack.

"It was pure violence and had nothing to do with the ministerial joint decree," he said, referring to the decree issued Monday that Jamaah Ahmadiyah followers must stop all religious activities or face legal prosecution. Guntur came to City Police headquarters as a witness.

Syamsul Bahri Radjam, Munarman's lawyer, confirmed his client had been detained. "He signed his detention dossier and is currently being detained at the drugs division detention center," he said, adding Munarman was questioned from 11 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Syamsul said he was looking forward to filing Munarman's bail request because he believed Munarman deserved it and would not seek to escape.

"He has been so cooperative, as demonstrated by his willingness to surrender. He will not run away. I hope the police will let him out (of detention) before the trial," he added.

He said Munarman hoped the police would also release Islam Defenders Front leader Rizieq Shihab because he had nothing to do with the Monas ambush.

"He also hopes the police will release the rest of the detainees because he solely is responsible for all accusations related to the ambush," he said.

Munarman's wife, Ana Noviana, and her two sons visited her husband several hours before he was taken to the detention cell.

"I am proud of him because he is defending Islam norms. He followed through on his promises by surrendering," she said. (ind)