Police Name 43 Suspects Over Rempang Eco-City Riots

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Barelang Resort Police named 43 suspects over the riots that occurred during the Rempang Eco-City protests on September 7 and 11, 2023. 

"Twenty-six people are named suspects in Polresta related to the case on September 11, with the additional eight for [the case] on September 7. There are nine suspects in Polda (Regional Police), so forty-three in total," said the Chief of Balerang Resort Police Chief Commissioner Nurgoho Tri Nuryanto in Batam, Riau Islands on Friday, September 15, 2023.

The police are still searching for the main actors responsible for the riot in front of the BP Batam office last Monday, the Chief said. "We encourage the three field coordinators for the [September 11] action to surrender themselves to the police before being apprehended," he said.

Currently, the police are not allowing the suspects visits from their family or even attorneys. Nugroho reasoned that a visit could disrupt the ongoing investigation since the police are still probing the suspects. "We're afraid [a visit] could affect their statement to the investigators. So we are trying to anticipate that," he added.

Nugroho emphasized that the police would allow visits from families and attorneys after the probings are concluded. "We will allow visits in accordance with the existing procedures," he said.

Mass protests against Rempang Eco-City development were previously held on September 7 and 11, 2023. The protests ended in chaos, with the police firing tear gases at the residents of Rempang. The tear gas affected not only the protesters but also children learning at nearby schools.

ANTARA

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News