Fourteen arrested for staging rally

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)