Authorities Disperse Surabaya Protest Tonight, Dozens Arrested

Police officers began pushing back protesters from the #IndonesiaSekarat demonstration in front of the Grahadi State Building in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday (26/6) night.

In the effort to disperse the crowd tonight, a number of individuals were seen being detained by the police.

“Protesters, please disperse; the time for expressing opinions in public has expired,” the police commander stated via loudspeaker before advancing to break up the crowd.

After issuing three warnings through loudspeakers, the police deployed personnel from the Riot Control Force and the Anti-Riot Force. Brimob water cannon vehicles and Samapta units from the Surabaya City Police were also deployed to disperse the mass.

“Members of the public, please leave the area; once again, the public is requested to leave the area,” said the Surabaya City Police Chief, Kombes Pol Luthfie Sulistiawan, at the scene.

The crowd was subsequently pushed back from Jalan Gubernur Suryo towards Jalan Pemuda. Furthermore, dozens of protesters were seen being arrested by police, including one woman.

“You will be dealt with at the City Police Headquarters,” said one of the officers apprehending the demonstrators.

Zaldi Maulana, Head of the Human Rights Campaign Bureau of KontraS Surabaya, who was accompanying the protesters, could not yet confirm the exact number of demonstrators arrested.

“We are still on the ground and continuing to coordinate,” said Zaldi.