Moroccan national arrested for stealing batik

JAKARTA. Jakarta Police arrested a Moroccan national for allegedly stealing batik fabrics at an exhibition held during the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Thursday.

The man, identified as Abdelaati Zakrioui, 51, allegedly stole five pieces of batik from Achmad Sofian, a visitor to the exhibition, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said.

Zakrioui allegedly stole the pieces of batik, which Sofian had just bought, after the latter left his bags at the Pertamina booth while taking some pictures. As Sofian returned to retrieve his shopping, he found that some of his batik had been taken.

Sofian reported the matter to security staff, who, suspicious of Zakrioui, searched him and found the missing batik pieces. The staff then handed him over to police personnel on duty at the JCC. The police are currently investigating the case, Awi added.

Awi did not say whether Zakrioui was registered as a visitor at the international event, but while in police custody he was seen wearing a WIEF visitor tag, the event is being held from August 2 to 4.