Indonesian police are investigating whether a high school student was radicalised in the lead-up to a Jakarta explosion that injured almost 100 people.
Almost 30 people, mostly school students, are being treated in hospital after at least two explosions at a North Jakarta mosque during prayers on Friday.
A 17-year-old student at the school next to the mosque, who is suspected of carrying out the attack, remains in hospital.
Medical workers treat injured students at Jakarta Islamic hospital after the explosion. (Reuters: Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana)
Police said they found what they described as a “toy weapon” at the scene, which had some inscriptions on it.
Photos shared online appear to show the toy gun, with the words “Brenton Tarrant. Welcome to Hell” written on it.
Brenton Tarrant is an Australian far-right extremist who killed 51 worshippers at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019.
‘Supporting evidence’ found at suspect’s home
At a press conference on Saturday, Indonesia’s police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said police had found several pieces of “supporting evidence” at the house of the suspect.
“Including some writings, evidence of potentially explosive powder, and other notes,” he said.
“We are examining social media records and interviewing families. Once this is complete, we will announce the details.”
The explosion occurred at a school complex in Jakarta on Friday. (Reuters: Willy Kurniawan)
Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the question of whether the student had been radicalised was part of the investigation, including whether he was bullied.
“That is one of the pieces of evidence we are currently collecting in our efforts to uncover the motive,” he said.
“Whether he follows a certain doctrine, or is exposed to content or things that interest him, or what reasons make him do that, we are all currently investigating.”
Alleged perpetrator remains in intensive care
The explosion on Friday caused a range of injures from minor to serious burns.
The alleged perpetrator and another person remain in intensive care.
“We are also building a trauma healing centre, which we are preparing to provide psychological services,” Listyo Sigit Prabowo said.
A forensic police officer collects evidence in the wake of the explosion. (Reuters: Willy Kurniawan)
The mosque is in a complex on largely navy-owned land, which is home to many military personnel and retired officers.
Police continue to work at the site as forensics comb through the mosque.
Indonesia has a history of attacks generally on “Western” targets, but not at mosques.
Islamic militancy has largely been suppressed in recent years.
With Reuters
