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Indonesian police accused of torture in May riots
At least 12 tortured as police tried to quell riots on May 21-23
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Guns and roses: A resident gives a flower to a police officer securing a protest at Sarinah shopping area in Jakarta on Thursday. The area has been the venue of people staging a rally in the wake of the General Elections Commission’s announcement of the result of the April 17 presidential election.
(The Jakarta Post/Wendra Ajistyatama )
T
he National Police are facing increased pressure as investigations by human rights organizations found alleged use of torture by Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers during the recent postelection protests that escalated into riots in Central and West Jakarta.
According to rights group Amnesty International, at least 12 people suffered torture and illtreatment by Brimob personnel during crackdowns on suspected rioters on May 21-23.
In its report released on Tuesday, Amnesty said the alleged use of violence occurred in areas near the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) building, the center of the protests, including in Kampung Bali, where reports of police brutality had previously emerged.
The group declined to reveal the alleged victims’ identities out of concern of their safety as well as of their families.
“The public has the right to know about what happened on May 21-23,” said Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid.
In its findings, which are the result of a month-long verification process and interviews with witnesses, victims and their families, Amnesty claimed some Brimob personnel had tortured at least five people at an empty parking lot in Kampung Bali.
The incident reportedly took place at around 5:30 a.m. on May 23 after a sweep of the area.
