Fourteen arrested for staging rally

BOGOR (JP): Police have arrested 14 street protesters for criticizing the government during an Independence Day anniversary rally here Sunday.

Another protester, identified as Sinaga, is still at large.

Bogor Police Chief Col. Dadang Garnida said yesterday that 12 of the suspects were arrested while staging the protest Sunday afternoon at the Kapt. Muslihat Monument in the heart of the city.

"The remaining two were nabbed this morning at their respective rented boardinghouse accommodation," said Dadang.

The protest consisted of poetry reading, displaying banners and distributing pamphlets, all of which contained abusive words criticizing the government, police said.

One of the six-meter banners seized by the police read: "Free But Emasculated Citizens".

Most of the detainees named themselves as students. But police later discovered that only four are still officially listed as university students.

"Our records show that most of them have been listed as those who always take part in street protests in this city," said Dadang.

The officer, however, didn't disclose the official charges against the 14 suspects or whether they would be sent to court immediately.

"I'm really disappointed about what they have done," said Dadang.

"While all Indonesians were celebrating the country's 52nd Independence Day anniversary, these men staged a protest discrediting our own government."

Police said that the 15 demonstrators began their action at Kunjang Monument at around 10 a.m. before heading by foot to the Kapt. Muslihat monument. (24/bsr)