Indonesian police arrest suspect in Jakarta school bomb threat

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Police arrested a suspect over a bomb threat targeting an elementary school in South Jakarta, saying the individual faces five to 20 years in prison under Indonesia's Criminal Code.

"The minimum sentence is five years and the maximum is 20 years," South Jakarta Metro Police Spokesperson Adjunct Commissioner Joko Adi said on Monday.

After receiving the threat, police searched 16 rooms at Srengseng Sawah 15 Pagi Elementary School with K-9 officers and the National Police's Bomb Disposal Unit.

Investigators also questioned five witnesses, including a teacher and a school administrative staff member who first received the threatening WhatsApp message.

"We conducted digital analysis to identify the suspected sender," Adi said.

Police arrested the suspect around midday on Monday in Srengseng Sawah, Jagakarsa, near the school.

Officers also seized a mobile phone linked to the WhatsApp account used to send the threat.

Adi said investigators would use digital forensics, forensic psychology and other scientific methods to establish the suspect's motive and determine whether others were involved.

He added that Jakarta police's Directorate for the Protection of Women and Children and the Eradication of Human Trafficking would provide psychological support for affected students.

"The suspect is being investigated under Articles 600 and/or 601 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code," Adi said.

Police began investigating after receiving a bomb threat against the school on the first day of the new student orientation program.

The report was received at about 7:30 a.m. while students and teachers were attending the opening ceremony.

The threat was sent through private WhatsApp messages to a first-grade teacher and a school administrative staff member.

The sender claimed bombs had been placed in 11 locations across the school and warned staff not to contact police.

The school reported the threat to police, who immediately searched the premises.

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Translator: Luthfia Miranda P, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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