Police Hunt Down Alleged Shooter

· 4 minutes read

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The National Police’s internal affairs has sanctioned 10 Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel for using violence when dealing with civilians during the riot in Kampung Bali, Tanah Abang, Jakarta, on 22 May. On the other hand, the police have reaffirmed that no personnel were involved in the death of nine civilians in the 21-22 May riots.

The police are hunting down the alleged shooter of protesters. The individual is believed to be around 175 centimeters tall with a dark skin tone and long, straight hair.

“We have obtained the physical characteristics of the shooter, based on statements from witnesses,” National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo said at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta on Friday (5/7/2019).

The nine fatalities in the riots were Abdul Aziz, M. Harun Al Rasyid, M. Rehan Fajari, Bachtiar Alamsyah, Adam Nooryan, Farhan Syafero, Sandro, Widianto Rizki Ramadhan and Muhammad Reza.

Reza died due to a severe head injury while the other eight died from gunshot wounds. Of these eight remains, the National Police forensics team conducted an autopsy on four, namely Rehan, Bachtiar, Harun and Aziz.

The eight dead bodies were found in three different crime scenes. Bachtiar, Aziz, Rehan, Widianto and Farhan died in Petamburan; Adam and Sandro in CIdeng; while Harun in Slipi.

Jakarta Police general crimes investigation director Sr. Comr. Suyudi Ario Seto said police found projectiles only on Harun’s and Aziz’s bodies. A 9.17-millimeter caliber bullet from a Glock 42 firearm was found on Harun’s body. Meanwhile, a projectile measuring 5.56-by-44-millimeters was recovered from Aziz’s body.

“The police have carried out ballistics tests on these projectiles and they do not match with any police firearms,” Suyudi said at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta.

Dedi Prasetyo said Harun and Aziz were shot by an unidentified person near where their bodies were found. Based on witness statements, Dedi continued, they were shot from a range of around 11 meters. Harun was shot from the right side while Aziz was shot from the back. Police personnel were around 100 meters in front of protesters at the time of the incident.

Furthermore, Dedi also explained that the 21-22 May riots could be divided into two segments. First was the relatively peaceful protest from midday to dusk. Second was the riot late at night. The police believed that eight different groups were using the riot for personal gain. The police are processing 316 riot suspects.

Internal sanctions

Despite no involvement from police personnel in the nine deaths during the riots, Dedi said the police’s internal affairs division had sanctioned 10 Mobile Brigade personnel for violating their code of ethics by using violence against civilians during the riots. The 10 Mobile Brigade personnel were detained in a special detainment facility for 21 days. An investigation to look into the possibility of criminal violations has also been launched.

Separately, National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Choirul Anam said he appreciated the police’s statement. Komnas HAM also responded positively to the police’s effort of imposing sanctions on its personnel who used violence in Kampung Bali. He reminded that the case should serve as basis for the police to evaluate their security measures to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring. The police must also explain the link between several cases they are investigating, including treason, firearm ownership and the riot.

Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid said internal sanctions alone would not be enough for the Mobile Brigade personnel who used violence in the riot. The National Police must show that all citizens are indeed treated equally before the law, by handing out prison sentences for the Mobile Brigade personnel who used violence during the riot. (SAN/IGA/TEN)

Editor:

kompascetak 21-22 may riots national commission for human rights