Jakarta police name suspect accused of carrying Molotov cocktails at student demo

Authorities in Jakarta have officially named a 24-year-old man, identified by the initials ANH, as a suspect in connection with a student demonstration. He is accused of carrying Molotov cocktails during the protest held near the Parliament Building on Friday.

The Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Kombes Budi Hermanto, confirmed the suspect's status. ANH was detained by security personnel on Jalan Gatot Subroto around 3:30 PM after his behavior aroused suspicion. During an intensive search, officers discovered three bottles filled with a hazardous liquid and equipped with fuses inside his backpack.

These items were classified as highly dangerous illegal incendiary devices with the potential to threaten lives amidst a large crowd. "Based on the intensive examination post-arrest, investigators have elevated ANH's legal status to suspect," Budi stated on Saturday. He added that the devices found were "very dangerous illegal incendiary tools and potentially threaten lives in the middle of a crowd."

Prior to ANH's apprehension, investigators had also questioned a man identified as R, who was traveling with the suspect towards the protest location. R is currently considered a witness, and investigators will further examine his potential involvement in planning the demonstration.

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Based on the intensive examination post-arrest, investigators have elevated ANH's legal status to suspect. The officers on the ground successfully found evidence in the form of three units of bottles containing hazardous liquid with fuses at the end of the bottles inside his backpack, where these items are categorized as very dangerous illegal incendiary tools and potentially threaten lives in the middle of a crowd.