Police arrest 45 protesters in Yogyakarta
Police arrest 45 protesters in Yogyakarta
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Police arrested 45 students and human rights
activists who were protesting the recent arrest of journalists
demanding greater freedom of the press.
The rally began at Gadjah Mada University's campus, where some
400 local students and activists assembled before they marched to
the local provincial legislative council.
They demanded the release of three activists from the
unrecognized Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and one
Pijar Foundation activist in detention in Jakarta since last
moth.
The protesters carried dozens of placards and banners
criticizing the government and the Indonesian Journalists
Association (PWI) for restraining press freedom.
"Together with the people we will fight for democracy" one of
the banners declared. "It is high time to fight for democracy"
said another.
"Long live the people, long live the students, long live
democracy", the protesters yelled.
The protesters were on their way to the local legislative
council when the police broke up the procession and escorted 45
to police headquarters.
"Forty five students and human rights activists are currently
under police custody," said Budi Santoso, a lawyer from the
Yogyakarta chapter of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute.
He told The Jakarta Post by phone that all the students and
activists arrested were being treated well, though some sustained
bruises from scuffling with security forces in the streets.
He also said that LBH-Yogyakarta has sent two of its lawyers,
Winarto and Teguh Purnomo, to accompany them during questioning.
An officer at the Yogyakarta Regional Police confirmed last
night that the 45 students and activists were still being
interrogated.
"They will be released as soon as the interrogation is
completed," Second Sergeant Budi Wardhana told the Post.
The police raided the headquarters of the Pijar Foundation, a
Jakarta-based non-governmental organization well-known for its
outspokenness, and arrested two of its activists, Tri Agus
Siswomihardjo and Syahrul on the evening of March 9.
Syahrul, the foundation's administrator, was returned on the
following day, while Tri Agus, editor of the NGO's hard hitting
periodical Kabar dari Pijar or News from Pijar, is currently
under arrest at the Central Jakarta District Police.
On March 16 three AJI members were arrested by the Jakarta
City police detectives at the Wisata International Hotel in
Jakarta after a Halal bil Halal (Moslem gathering after the Idul
Fitri) party. They were Ahmad Taufik, Eko Mariyadi, and Danang.
Taufik, Eko, and Danang are currently being detained at the
City Police Headquarters for allegedly producing, distributing,
and marketing the unlicensed Independen bulletin.
Tri Agus, Taufik, Eko, and Danang, were all arrested on
charges of violating the article of the Criminal Code on
insulting the government in public.(r. fadjri/imn)