US, Indonesian citizens arrested for allegedly proselytizing for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Jambi

[Isabella]

A citizen of the United States and an Indonesian national have been arrested by the Telanaipura Police in Jambi for allegedly spreading the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Simpang Empat Sipin subdistrict of Jambi city.

“The arrest was made based on reports from residents who were concerned by the individuals’ activities in the neighborhood,” Telanaipura Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yumika Putra said on Wednesday.

Both the US and the Indonesian citizens, identified only by the initials J and L, respectively, were currently detained and being questioned regarding their religious activities, he said. The Jambi Police had also assisted in making sure whether the detainees had actually violated any existing laws, he added.

During the preliminary questioning, J admitted to having lived in Jambi city for three years. The police had cooperated with the Jambi Immigration Office to look into J's stay permit.

Waluyo, a local, said the J and L had given out pamphlets, brochures and books on the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses from door to door in the neighborhood. They also recommended residents visit the official website of the Jehovah’s Witnesses at jw.org.

“Of course we grew concerned. This is a Muslim-majority neighborhood. What if there’s a conflict with local residents?” Waluyo said to The Jakarta Post.

Read more: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/01/23/us-indonesian-citizens-arrested-for-allegedly-proselytizing-for-jehovahs-witnesses-in-jambi.html