ICJR Urges Criminal Inquiry Against Police in East Java Football Tragedy
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4 October 2022 17:08 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) in a press statement on Tuesday urged for the 28 police personnel – who are suspected of being involved in the lead-up to the mass-stampede incident at East Java’s Kanjuruhan Stadium after a football match on Saturday – to be investigated for criminal violations. The police officers are currently being questioned for ethical misconduct.
“This tragedy is not ethical misconduct but has entered the criminal realm due to the casualties from excessive force. Thus resulting in the fatalities caused by the limited access to exit the stadium,” said ICJR executive director Erasmus A.T. Napitupulu on Tuesday, October 4.
ICJR argues that it is very important for the National Police to be able to investigate this case impartially and accountably, even though the perpetrators involved are part of their own unit.
The watchdog asserts that the excessive use of power should be investigated firmly. In accordance with the provisions of Articles 359 and 360 of the Criminal Code as the incident has caused death due to negligence.
In several videos that have circulated, it can be seen the use of tear gas by the police, which should be prohibited under FIFA's security standards at soccer fields.
The Institute for Criminal Justice Reform questioned the use of tear gas as crowd control that was aimed at the viewer's stand, even though these are the sections of fans that did not cause the brouhaha in the field. The mess in police’s conflict control or crowd control was also highlighted by the watchdog.
NUGROHO CATUR PAMUNGKAS
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