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)