inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Police arrested a man with the initials F, also known as Batak, who is suspected of inciting several students to participate in the demonstration that led to riots in Bekasi and Jakarta.

F was arrested by the Bekasi City Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit on Thursday at around 4:30 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. Police suspect the suspect used social media to spread provocative messages and rally students to join the demonstration.

The Head of the Bekasi City Sub-regional Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Police Assistant Superintendent Verdika Bagus Prasetya, said F's involvement was uncovered after investigators tracked the suspect's digital activity.

"The suspect sent messages inviting and mobilizing students to join the demonstration through the social media account @panjatek400bob to a group called SMK Se-Bekasi Bersatu. The communication was established to gather participants and direct their movements," Verdika said in a written statement in Jakarta, Thursday (9/24/2026).

According to Verdika, the conversations in the group included not only invitations but also discussions about participants' movements and gathering locations.

"From the results of examining the digital data on the suspect's cell phone, investigators found calls that led to criminal acts, such as carrying Molotov cocktails, burning police stations, attacking police personnel, and damaging public facilities," he said.

In addition to securing digital evidence from the suspect's cell phone, police also confiscated a sharp weapon in F's possession.

Investigators are still investigating the origin of the weapon and investigating the possible involvement of other account administrators suspected of spreading provocative content.

F has now been detained and named a suspect. He is being charged under Article 247 and/or Article 248 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 20 letter d of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of six years' imprisonment.

F is also being charged under Article 307 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code, which concerns unauthorized possession of a sharp weapon, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.

Bekasi City Sub-regional Metro Police Chief, Senior Superintendent Putu Kholis Aryana, emphasized that the police will not allow students to be exploited to commit unlawful acts.

"We will take firm action against anyone who intentionally incites students to commit unlawful acts. Students, if you receive this kind of invitation, do not follow it or pass it on. Immediately report it to your parents, the school, or the police so that action can be prevented early," said Putu Kholis.

The police are also still investigating the case to uncover the possible role of other parties in spreading the provocative invitation or mobilizing students.

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