Published 15:21 IST, October 10th 2019
Indonesia security minister Wiranto stabbed by suspected 'IS radical'
Indonesia's chief security minister Wiranto was attacked in Banten on October 10 with a knife by a man believed to be exposed to Islamic State radicalism.
Indonesia's chief security minister Wiranto was attacked on October 10 with a knife by a man believed to be exposed to Islamic State radicalism. He was stabbed by the man during his visit to the town of Pandeglang in Banten province on the island of Java according to the reports. Dedi Prasetyo, the Indonesian national police spokesperson confirmed the incident and told the media that the male perpetrator and a suspected female co-conspirator has been arrested and taken into police custody for further investigations. Firmansyah, the spokesperson of the Berkah Hospital said the minister has suffered severe injuries and added that he was conscious and the condition is stable. He said that Wiranto has been shifted to the capital city of Jakarta for further treatment. According to the media reports, Indonesia President Joko Widodo is expected to visit Wiranto at the Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital.
Incident recorded in video clips
According to the Dedi Prasetyo, the local police chief reportedly suffered injuries. The video clips that were posted on social media showed the minister was getting down from a black SUV where a man wearing a black shirt suddenly sneaked in and stabbed him. In another video clip, Wiranto can be seen losing his balance and falling towards the ground, as his security personnel scrambled to oppose the attacker. Several people instantaneously loaded the minister back to the car, as other people continue to wrestle with the perpetrator. Recently, Wiranto has been designated by President Joko Widodo as the security minister in the wake of unrest and violence in the nation's West Papua region.
Wiranto served as former military chief
Wiranto served as former military chief and President Widodo appointed him as top security minister in 2016. Wiranto, 72 had been accused of committing atrocities during Indonesia's occupation of East Timor. He served the military when the Indonesian army and paramilitaries carried out brutal assaults after East Timor sought independence from Indonesia in 1999. At least 100000 people are estimated to have been slaughtered by Indonesian forces and their allies. Wiranto was among other senior officers indicted by UN prosecutors over human rights abuses during the 24-year occupation period. Despite evidence collected proving his role in the mass killings of 1999, Wiranto refuses any wrongdoing and haven't faced any court trials over the atrocities. As a security minister, Wiranto looks after five ministries including foreign, interior and defense. He was attacked just days ahead of President Joko Widodo's inauguration for his second term in office.
Updated 16:42 IST, October 10th 2019