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Two students arrested for allegedly detaining undercover officer during protest
According to authorities, Brig. Eka Zidan, a Central Java Police officer, was allegedly captured by a group of protesters while going undercover at the May Day rally outside the Central Java governor’s office. He was reportedly detained for several hours at a Diponegoro University campus in Pleburan.
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Clash: Police officers disperse demonstrators protesting the controversial revision of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law on March 24 in Surabaya, East Java. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
S
emarang Police in Central Java have arrested two Diponegoro University students for allegedly detaining an undercover officer during a violent May Day protest on May 1, raising concerns among rights advocates over potential criminalization of activists.
Central Java Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Artanto said the two students, identified only as 20-year-old MRS and 20-year-old RSB, were arrested on Tuesday and are currently being held at the Semarang Police Station.
"We have substantial evidence against them, including a viral video from the protest, chats found on the suspects' mobile phones and the victim's statement," Artanto said on Wednesday as quoted by Kompas.id.
According to Artanto, Brig. Eka Zidan, a Central Java Police officer, was allegedly captured by a group of protesters while going undercover at the May Day rally outside the Central Java governor’s office. He was reportedly detained for several hours at a Diponegoro University campus in Pleburan.
A video of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, shows the officer surrounded by masked protesters, who interrogated him about his name, department and the number of undercover officers present at the protest. Some protesters can also be heard shouting insults at the officer.
Artanto said that MRS and RSB have been charged under Articles 333 and 170 of the Criminal Code, relating to confinement and assault. If found guilty, they could face up to eight years in prison.
A legal representative from Diponegoro University stated that the university has been providing legal assistance to both suspects.
