Police face lawsuit over improper detention

JAKARTA (JP): R.O. Tambunan from Lawyers for the Defense of Indonesian Democracy (TPDI) said yesterday he would sue the city police for the improper detention of 123 people involved in a protest over soaring prices in South Jakarta on Feb. 11.

Tambunan accused the police of deliberately adding additional charges the day after the cases were brought to court.

"The annexation of the charges was, I think, just an effort by the police to enable them to detain the 123 people for a longer period."

Tambunan said the 123 people, who were detained at Jakarta Police Headquarters, were scheduled to sign the lawsuit today.

He said they were initially charged under Article 510 of the Criminal Code on disturbing public order by joining the illegal street rally. The article carries a maximum penalty of two weeks in jail or a maximum fine of Rp 2,250.

The 123 people were among 157 alleged protesters apprehended by police when they marched from the Attorney General's Office in the Blok M business district to the Ministry of Manpower office on Jl. Gatot Subroto on Feb. 11.

Tambunan said the group was later brought before Judge Djazuli Soedibyo from South Jakarta District Court on Feb. 12.

But the judge adjourned the trial and the 123 defendants were required to return to court the following day, he said.

"What happened the next day was that the police included other articles on political-related crimes and also subversive acts in the charges against the defendants."

City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday his office would defend the suit.

"It is everybody's right to sue the police regarding the procedure of arrest or detention. It is arranged by the law, so it's okay if they want to sue us."

However, Aritonang strongly denied Tambunan's allegation that police just made up the additional charges laid against the defendants.

"What we did was based on laws and regulations, that's all," he said. (cst)