Police tighten security on Blowfish trial

The Jakarta Police deployed Wednesday 900 officers to secure South Jakarta District Court as an attempt to prevent another massive fatal brawl occurring.

South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Gatot Edy Pramono said the police would also screen all visitors entering the court complex, which will hold the trial of four defendants allegedly involved in a deadly fight at Blowfish Kitchen and Bar in April.

Along with hundreds of officers guarding the court area, The Jakarta Post also found two standby watercanons and dozens of officers holding firearms posted along busy Jl. Ampera Raya in front of the court.

"We, however, will not close the street to the public," Gatot said.

Three people died during an inter-ethnic clash involving two ethnic groups during the Blowfish trial last week. Rumors said that the clash was allegedly triggered by conflicts over concession on security businesses in the city.