19 Demonstrators Detained on 28 October in Jakarta Released

The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) said that all 19 people detained by police in connection with the 28 October demonstration in Jakarta have now been released.

“Our friends who were arrested yesterday, 28 October, at the demonstration around Bundaran HI — 18 people and one child — have all been released,” TAUD representative Daniel Winarta said at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on Thursday (29 October).

“The arrests took place yesterday around midday and in the afternoon, and some were also made at night. By around two o’clock today, everyone had been released,” he added.

Daniel said the police did not need to arrest the group, as they had committed no criminal offences.

“These young people should not have been arrested in the first place. Our friends should not have been arrested because these were arbitrary arrests, made without an adequate legal basis,” he said.

At the same event, Andi Rahardia of the Political Prisoners’ Union (Setapol) said this was not the first time demonstrators had been arrested without clear grounds.

“The police arrest and detain people without strong and clear grounds, adding to a long record of procedural errors that do not comply with criminal procedure law,” he said.

“We hope there will be improvements following the replacement of the senior leadership at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police,” he added.

Andi also urged law enforcement officials to pay closer attention to criminal procedure law so that incidents of this kind do not recur.

“We hope demonstrations can take place without citizens being afraid to exercise their right to express their views, because that right is protected by our laws. That is all,” he said.

Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Head Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto confirmed the release of the 19 demonstrators detained on 28 October.

They were released after investigators had completed questioning and assessed each person’s involvement and role.

“Before being released, they were also given preventive education and advised not to take actions that could disrupt public order or endanger public safety,” Budi said.

The demonstrators were then handed over to their families or legal representatives from the Legal Aid Institute (LBH). The handover was documented in an official report and accompanied by a written undertaking not to break the law.

“The Jakarta Metropolitan Police prioritise prevention and education as part of a humane policing service. Repressive law-enforcement measures are used only as a last resort, while taking into account the facts, evidence and applicable law,” he said.

The Jakarta Metropolitan Police had earlier detained 19 people during Wednesday’s demonstration in the capital. Officers also seized items including bladed weapons and firecrackers.

“Nineteen people were detained; they were carrying firecrackers, some had bladed weapons, and items intended for vandalism were also found,” Commissioner Budi told reporters on Thursday (29 October).

Jakarta Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Directorate chief Senior Commissioner Imron Ermawan said one of the 19 detainees was a minor. The case involving the child was handled by the force’s Women and Children Protection and Protection of Women and Children directorate (PPA/PPO).

Imron also said police suspected that paint seized at the scene was intended for vandalism.

“The Jakarta Metropolitan Police seized paint or colouring materials that were suspected of being intended for vandalism yesterday. Fortunately, the person concerned was apprehended, along with the evidence: 12 cans of paint,” he said.