Indonesia Arrests 7 Suspects Over Alleged ISIS Plot To Target Pope Francis In Jakarta

Indonesian police have detained seven individuals in connection with a "terror plot" targeting Pope Francis during his recent visit to Jakarta.

Most arrests occurred on September 2 and 3 in Jakarta and surrounding areas, including Bogor, Bekasi, West Sumatra, and the Bangka Belitung Islands, as reported by the national police anti-terrorism squad Detachment-88, according to The Straits Times.

Photo Credit: PTI

Pope Francis's visit to Jakarta, part of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, has drawn attention despite ongoing abuse scandals in the Church.

Detachment-88 spokesman Colonel Aswin Siregar confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and it remains unclear if the detainees are part of the same terror cell.

"We have a mechanism to monitor and filter. We had tip-off information from members of the public," Colonel Aswin explained.

Searches at one militant's residence uncovered bows and arrows, a drone, and ISIS leaflets. Some of the detainees had reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS.

A source also revealed that one of the militants arrested belonged to the same group responsible for attacking former Chief Security Minister Wiranto in 2019.

The plotters were angered by Pope Francis' visit to Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque and the government's decision to request television stations to halt the azan (Islamic call to prayer) in favor of broadcasting the Pope's visit.

"Instead of airing the azan, television stations displayed a running text," the source added.

On Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Papua New Guinea, marking the second leg of his four-nation tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania.

His visit to Vanimo, a remote area in Papua New Guinea, was the key event of his trip. A

After his stop in Indonesia, Francis will head to East Timor before concluding his tour in Singapore later this week.