Hammam Izzuddin, Jakarta – The East Java Regional Police arrested an activist from the Kamisan movement, Muhammad Fakhrurrozi, also known as Paul, in Yogyakarta. The Surabaya Legal Aid Institute (LBH) reported that police also confiscated numerous books and electronic devices during the arrest.

"Dozens of books and electronic devices owned by Paul were confiscated," stated Habibus Shalihin, Director of LBH Surabaya, on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Arrest details and legal status

Paul was detained by a group of plainclothes police at his residence on Saturday, September 27, 2025, around 14:30 local time. He was initially taken to the Yogyakarta Regional Police Headquarters (DIY Police).

According to Habib, Paul was arrested without sufficient initial evidence, a violation of Article 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

At 17:00 local time, police transferred Paul from the DIY Police to the East Java Regional Police Headquarters in Surabaya, arriving at 22:10 local time.

The East Java Police then designated Paul as a suspect, connecting his arrest to an ongoing case involving several activists in Kediri. The charges filed against him include Article 160 (incitement), Article 187 (arson/endangering public safety), Article 170 (violence against people or goods), and Article 55 (co-perpetrators) of the Criminal Code.

Paul underwent a marathon interrogation session on Sunday, starting at 00:30 and lasting until 15:00. "At the end of the examination, Paul was also detained by the East Java Police investigators," Shalihin confirmed.

Police confirmation

The DIY Police confirmed the arrest, stating they merely coordinated with the East Java Regional Police. Adjunct Commissioner Verena Sri Wahyuningsih, Head of Public Information Sub-Division for the DIY Police, stated that the DIY Police only received notification that the arrest was carried out within their jurisdiction.

"The arrest and legal process are handled by the East Java Regional Police," Verena said in a written statement on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

As of the report, the East Java Regional Police has not provided a public statement regarding the case.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2052758/police-seize-books-during-arrest-of-kamisan-activist-in-yogyakart