Indonesian Student Arrested for Sharing Explosive-Making Tips
A student has been arrested for distributing tips on making explosives and assembling firearms.
The West Java Regional Police have arrested a college student, MSA, for allegedly sharing tutorials on how to make explosives and firearms on social media. According to the head of public relations for the police, Grand Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, MSA was a member of the WhatsApp group True Crime Community. He acted as a motivator for extreme crimes, according to Hendra. MSA used the pseudonym Pseudo Vampire on the platform.
The student allegedly conducted at least 40 tests with low-explosive materials and 16 tests with high-explosive bombs. Superintendent Rikky Aries Setiawan of the Criminal Investigation Directorate explained that MSA had been studying explosive formulas and firearm assembly since junior high school. He learned through YouTube tutorial videos, inspired by previous terror events like the pressure cooker bombing in Andir, Bandung.
MSA joined the True Crime Community group alongside 28 other members from various regions, believed to be connected to an international network monitored by cyber patrols. He was charged under Article 306, Article 246, and/or Article 247 of the Criminal Code for illegal possession of explosive materials and firearms. MSA was also charged with incitement under the same articles.
Police seized numerous items during the investigation, including mortar ammunition, empty bullets, projectiles, sharp bullets, chemicals, grenade casings, three assembled firearms, a firearm trigger, a bow and arrow, and several books related to MSA's activities.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
