Police to probe court incident

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacoeb pledged on Thursday to probe the clash between students, lawyers and police at the trial of two student activists at the South Jakarta District Court.

At least one student and three lawyers were injured after reportedly being beaten by police officers safeguarding the trial.

Sofjan said police were asked by South Jakarta Prosecutors' Office to safeguard the trial in anticipation of a massive student rally at the district court.

Wednesday's trial on activists Mixil Mina Munir and Arif Wardoyo turned chaotic after the defendants and their lawyers walked out in protest of the judge's banning of their supporters from entering the court room.

The two students were charged with provoking violent demonstrations against the fuel price hike last June.

In a related development, the students' team of lawyers met with National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro to convey their protest over what they claimed as police brutality in handling the student protesters. (emf)