Students questioned over Jakarta riots

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Five Soedirman University students were questioned last week by the district prosecutors' office in connection with the July 27 riots in Jakarta.

Albert Novianto, Ahmad Effendi, Gerry Grefisanto, Rahman Rasyid and Alam Hadriyanto were questioned, as potential witnesses, on Thursday and on Friday.

The students said they were surprised by the questioning and insisted they knew nothing about the riots.

The riots erupted after the headquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) were taken over from supporters of ousted chief Megawati Soekarnoputri by followers of new chairman Soerjadi.

Five people died in the riots, 149 people were injured and a score of buildings were damaged. A total of 23 people are still listed as missing since the riots. (wah/swe)