West Java Police Name 42 Suspects Of Riot Demo In Bandung

The suspects were presented when they revealed an anarchist case during a demonstration at the West Java Police Headquarters, Bandung City, Tuesday (16/9/2025). ANTARA/Rubby Jovan.

BANDUNG - The West Java Regional Police named 42 people as suspects in a demonstration that led to chaos in Bandung City from August 29 to September 1, 2025.

West Java Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Setiawan said the suspect was named after his party secured hundreds of people in a series of demonstrations that led to chaos over the destruction and burning of a number of public facilities and government offices.

"This anarchic act has been planned, using Molotov cocktails, pipe bombs, and social media as a means of provocation," Rudi said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 16.

The facilities targeted for anarchist actions include fences and police posts in front of the West Java Governor's office, the West Java DPRD building, Wisma MPR in Bandung.

Of the total 42 suspects, 26 people were named by the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the West Java Police for being directly involved in vandalism and arson.

Meanwhile, 16 other people were appointed by the Directorate of Cyber Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsiber) for playing a role in spreading provocative content, incitement, and fake news on social media.

Rudi said that the police were still investigating the possibility of a network behind the action that led to the chaos.

"We have identified a connection with certain groups who try to pit the community against the authorities. Law enforcement will be carried out in a professional and transparent manner," he said.

In disclosing this case, the police secured a number of pieces of evidence, including Molotov cocktails, pipe bombs, portable gas bombs, sharp weapons, to hundreds of digital content in the form of provocative videos and social media accounts used to spread anarchist invitations.

For their actions, the suspects were charged with multiple articles, ranging from Article 187, Article 170, Article 406 of the Criminal Code, to the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (ITE), with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.