JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) — Indonesian police on Thursday (June 22) said they have arrested nine suspects linked to last month’s suicide bombing in the capital Jakarta, and an additional 31 suspects linked to other terrorist networks.
At least three police officers were killed and 12 people wounded on May 24 in twin blasts at a bus station in east Jakarta. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group and was the deadliest in Indonesia since January 2016.
Police unveiled personal details and photographs of all the suspects – 40 of whom were arrested in several different cities over the past month, and two of whom were killed in the attack itself – during a news conference in the capital on Thursday.
They said the additional arrests were considered a “preventive” measure.
The police also held up evidence they said revealed pressure cookers packed with explosives had been used.
Long-standing plans to reform Indonesia’s 2003 anti-terrorism laws have been held up by opposition from some parties in parliament and concerns about individual rights. The revisions would broaden the definition of terrorism and give police the power to detain suspects without trial for longer.
