Indonesian authorities have arrested seven individuals for making online terror threats against Pope Francis during his visit to the country this week, according to police on Friday. The 87-year-old pontiff began his Asia-Pacific tour in Indonesia, where he emphasized religious unity in the predominantly Muslim nation.
The suspects, apprehended in Jakarta and the provinces of West Sumatra and Bangka Belitung, allegedly made threats, including bomb attacks, targeting the pope’s public events. Authorities also reported threats to set fire to locations on his itinerary.
Indonesia, which has faced Islamist militancy in the past, increased security measures during the pope’s visit, deploying 4,000 personnel to safeguard his engagements.