Police in the capital Jakarta have detained over 300 people for questioning and named dozens of suspects, following street protests that turned into late-night rioting, officials said.
Demonstrations by various groups started on Thursday morning near parliament amid heavy security on the anniversary of deadly anti-government protests last year, which lasted two weeks and gave an early test to the administration of President Prabowo Subianto.
Thousands of police were deployed in Jakarta ahead of Thursday’s rallies, where demonstrators vented their frustration at various government policies and demanded harsher punishment for corrupt officials.
The rally dispersed on Thursday evening, but local media outlets reported individuals in black shirts remained on the streets long after, setting fire to a police post and two motorcycles, closing roads and hurling rocks and sticks at police, who responded with water cannon and tear gas.
A witness heard several loud bangs near the area of the reported unrest.
Police have detained 322 people, including 160 people younger than 18 years old, Jakarta police spokesperson Budi Hermanto told a press conference.
“After the majority of the crowd had dispersed, a group of rioters arrived and tried to disrupt public order and security,” Budi said, adding that a number of them were allegedly carrying makeshift weapons.
He also said one man was evacuated from the scene after losing consciousness and later died at a hospital.
Police were “gathering facts” regarding the fatality, another official, Iman Imanuddin, said at the same briefing.
Police have named 45 people as suspects for allegedly causing damage to public facilities and conducting acts of violence, Iman added. — Reuters
