Five cops admit to beating students

Five cops admit to beating students

JAKARTA: Jakarta Police officers questioned 22 members of the
force who were allegedly involved in beating protesting students
last Thursday, but only five of them have admitted to using
violence, said spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo on Tuesday.

The clash between police and demonstrators took place during
the announcement of the Supreme Court verdict on Golkar Party
chairman Akbar Tandjung, who was acquitted of corruption charges.
At least 73 students suffered injuries, one suffered a fractured
skull.

"The probe is not over yet, we are still questioning
witnesses, therefore the number of suspects may increase,"
Prasetyo said, adding that the police officers who caused severe
injuries would be sent to court.

Earlier, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara
regretted the incident while saying that the violence took place
because his men were angered by a bottle hurled at them by the
students. -- JP