REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- West Java Police investigator increased the status of the Head of Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Habib Rizieq Shihab, from witness to a suspect. It was determined after the third case screening was held on Monday. 

"After seven hours of screening, investigators set Rizieq as a suspect in the alleged defamation of Pancasila and alleged defamation of former President Sukarno," said the Head of West Java Police spokesman Sr. Yusri Yunus to reporters. 

Also read: West Java Police hold the 3rd case screening in Habib Rizieq's case

Based on the title of the case, police concluded that it met the criminal element. Yusri said the police had possessed a video record as evidence to ensnare Habib Rizieq. It was reviewed by a team from Forensic Laboratory of the National Police. The video was stated as original or not being edited or manipulated.  

He also said that the police had also requested information from several expert witnesses, including experts on linguistics, crime, philosophy, and history. "We would schedule an invitation for Habib Rizieq Shihab as suspects. Hopefully this week the invitation will be issued," he said. 

Yusri said Rizieq was charged under two articles, namely Article 164 on the defamation of a state symbol (Pancasila) and Article 320 of the Penal Code on defamation. As a suspect, he said, Rizieq would not be subjected to detention because both articles' penalty was under five years. 

"(He) was not detained because the threat was under five years. This is in accordance to the Procedure if the Criminal Code," he said at the police headquarters in West Java.

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