Police Name 11 Suspects in Home Affairs Ministry Office Attack
13 October 2017 08:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police have named 11 individuals in the attack on the Home Affairs Ministry office in Central Jakarta. Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono said that they have been arrested for alleged vandalism and assault that left six ministry workers injured.
Argo said that the attack was carried out spontaneously by supporters of former candidates in Tolikara election in Papua that was held in April.
Read: Minister Tjahjo Regrets Attack on Home Affairs Ministry's Office
Some of the individuals carried sharp objects during the incident. Argo said that that they claimed to carry the weapons on a daily basis. “To protect themselves, they said,” he added.
The clash started after the Home Affairs Ministry officials failed to show up at a pre-arranged meeting with the people of Tolikara, Papua. Some 30 protesters gathered in front of the ministry’s office.
The protesters consisted of students, workers and people of Tolikara who live in Jakarta. They had been meeting with the Home Affairs Ministry officials over disputed Tolikara election that is being handled by the Constitutional Court.
Following the incident, six workers of the Home Affairs Ministry were injured by rocks thrown by protesters.
CHITRA PARAMAESTI