Police Persecution When Action To Reject Job Creation Law In West Java, 7 Suspects Threatened 5 Years In Prison

Police show evidence of police abuse at Polda West Java, Bandung City (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - At least seven people have been named as suspects in a case of alleged mistreatment of the police during a demonstration against the Job Creation Law in the West Java DPRD Building area.

Head of West Java Regional Police Public Relations, Kombes Erdi A. Chaniago, said that of the seven suspects, three of them with the initials DR, DH and CH were detained in West Java Regional Police custody, and one was detained at the Karawang Police. Meanwhile, the rest were not detained because they were still minors and were students.

"As for the suspect, the suspect tortured officers who were carrying out security duties," Erdi said at the West Java Regional Police, Jalan Soekarno Hatta, Bandung City, as reported by Antara, Monday, October 12.

Erdi said the persecution incident took place on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at Jalan Sultan Agung, Bandung City. At that location, a police officer was suspected of being held captive and then mistreated by the suspects.

"Our members were beaten on the head with a shovel and then using a stone," he said.

As a result, the police officer suffered head injuries and is still undergoing intensive care at the Bhayangkara Sartika Asih Hospital, Bandung City.

Meanwhile, West Java Regional Police General Criminal Investigation Director Kombes CH Patoppoi said that his party was still investigating the motives of the suspects who carried out the persecution.

Then according to him the scene of the case which was located on Jalan Sultan Agung was a health and logistical volunteer post prepared for demonstrations. However, he did not mention the identity of the volunteer post organizer.

"Maybe (the motive) was because of annoyance and all kinds of things, but the fact is that when a member wants to leave, the door is closed, there is persecution," he said.

As a result of their actions, the perpetrators were charged under Article 170 and Article 351 of the Criminal Code with a penalty of up to five years in prison.