ISIS sympathizer arrested

Siti Elina tried to enter the government building armed with a gun. The anti-terrorism agency highlighted the increasing recruitment of women to act as “lone wolves”. The author of the attack had shared publications on her social networks with messages of Islamist propaganda.

Jakarta () – The national anti-terrorism agency (BNPT) is investigating the case of a woman who tried to enter the presidential palace armed with a pistol on October 25. She is a “lone wolf” who unsuccessfully tried to shoot security guards, local police said.

The director of the BNPT, Ahmad Nurwakhi, said that the attacker, Siti Elina, is a supporter of the Hizbut Tahrir terrorist organization, banned by the Indonesian government in 2019. The woman had shared on her social media profiles some propaganda posts from the Islamic State. She is currently being investigated for information on the possible involvement of other subjects. At the woman’s home in north Jakarta, the anti-terrorist squad seized dozens of pistols and rifles. Apparently her husband is also a supporter of the Islamic State in Indonesia.

Nurwakhid highlighted the growing involvement of lone women in terrorist acts: “It’s a new trend, especially by ISIS,” she said. They are recruited as “wives” and then trained to commit “jihadist martyrdom”.

According to a police official, Siti Elina’s case is reminiscent of two other attempted attacks: in 2016 Dian Yuli Novi was arrested for her alleged involvement in a plot to attack the presidential palace along with others. In 2021, Security Forces killed Zazkia Aini when she tried to attack the police headquarters in Jakarta.