Riot At Protest Act At The US Embassy, Mobs Destroy Police Cars, 16 People Arrested

Police secure one of the protesters who rioted in front of the US Embassy/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - Central Jakarta Metro Police arrested 16 Papuans who demonstrated in front of the United States (US) Embassy, Gambir District, Central Jakarta.

According to one of the participants in the demonstration, Ambrosius Start, his party held an action to commemorate the Rome Angrement by FRI-AMP. However, 16 people from his group were arrested by the police.

"Initially some of our friends were transported, they were taken to the Central Jakarta Metro Police," Ambrosius told reporters, Thursday, September 30.

Knowing that their colleague was being taken away by members, the mob demanding freedom in Papua broke the window of the prisoner's car until it broke when (the demonstrators) were about to be brought into the car.

The police had difficulty securing the protesters. In fact, the Head of the East Monas Police, Iptu Dahroni, was also injured by shards of glass. Dahroni was injured because at that time he was trying to dispel the crowd.

Meanwhile, Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Hengki Haryadi said the police were forced to secure the protest participants because DKI Jakarta is still at PPKM level 3.

"Any activity that has the potential to cause a crowd is prohibited," said the police chief to reporters, Thursday, September 30.

Based on Law NO 9 of 1998, in conveying activities, continued Hengki, one must look at the existing situation and the regulations that are currently in effect. All activities that have the potential to cause crowds are prohibited.

"If that person puts another person in a dangerous situation it is a criminal offense," he said.

"In the latest Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs number 43 it is also determined that there is a law on disease outbreaks, then health quarantine," he added.

The police chief said that the demonstration carried out by the perpetrators did not have permission and notification to the police.

"It is also not allowed to carry out activities that could potentially cause crowds during the pandemic. They commit criminal offenses," he said.

Meanwhile, the perpetrators of vandalism police cars will be processed according to applicable law.