Riau Police Arrest 235 People Allegedly Burning Forest, Peatlands
21 September 2014 17:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - Riau Police have arrested a total of 235 people who allegedly burned forest and peatlands in several areas in the province. They were investigated in 140 cases.
Police officers, under the Law Enforcement of Riau Haze Task Force, arrested those caught in illegal operations since February to September this year.
"Yesterday, the police arrested two more suspects at Indragiri Hilir," said Guntur Aryo Tejo, the Head of Riau Police Public Relations Division yesterday.
According to Guntur, as many as 116 suspects were captured during the emergency haze in the period of February 27 until April 4.
A total of 65 case have been declared 'complete' and are ready to be brought to the court. Three cases are still under investigation and two cases are still being investigated by prosecutors.
A total of 119 suspects were apprehended during the haze recovery and alert in the period of April 5 to September 19 with 70 case files.
"Some of the suspects have already been convicted, but yet unknown how long the verdicts will be punished since it is the authority of judges and prosecutors," Guntur said.
RIYAN NOFITRA