Police Deny Detaining Two Protesters in Solo

Surakarta Police have denied detaining two demonstrators during a protest in front of the City DPRD building on Friday (12/6). The denial was delivered directly by Surakarta Police Chief, Commissioner Catur Cahyono Wibowo, to the crowd of protesters.

CNNIndonesia.com observed Catur walking towards the crowd shortly before they dispersed. His arrival was greeted by a student leading the protest. “Friends, here is the Surakarta Police Chief among us. Let us ask why our two colleagues were arrested earlier,” the student said. “No one was detained, no one was kidnapped,” Catur replied briefly before walking away.

Furthermore, Surakarta Police Public Relations Head, AKP Lingga Ramadhani, confirmed that no participants were taken into custody. “We want to clarify the circulating narrative that we secured someone. Alhamdulillah, so far there have been none,” Lingga said after the protest. “All the protesters have now begun to disperse and not a single one was secured by the Surakarta Police.”

The demonstration in front of the Solo DPRD building had earlier heated up after police reportedly picked up two participants. A witness claimed to have seen two protesters being taken away from the crowd, an incident which then sparked anger among the masses. The protesters, who had initially been calling for economic improvements, shifted their focus to demanding the release of their colleagues. The crowd that filled the street in front of the DPRD building split up, with some approaching Police Chief Commissioner Catur Cahyono Wibowo at the gate, shouting, “Free our friends.”