11 grilled, named suspects over Pamulang riot

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Indonesia | Jakarta | Sat, October 20 2012, 10:28 AM

Eleven people have been named suspects in a riot at Pamulang University in South Tangerang on Friday.

"After questioning 11 detainees on Friday, we have strong evidence that they used force, incitement and violence during the clash," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto told reporters on Friday.

They could face a maximum of five years in prison for violating Article 213 of the Criminal Code, as well as articles 335 and 160, which carry maximum sentences of one and six years respectively for incitement.

They could also be charged under Article 170 on violence, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Rikwanto said a suspect, identified only as RS, could also be charged under an article from Law No.12/1951 for weapon possession.

Dozens of students at the campus staged a protest - believed to be related to police attacks on students across the country - during a speech at the university by National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Nanan Sukarna on Thursday.

Two companies of officers were dispatched to contain the riot.

Rumors were rife that the police fired bullets to suppress the crowd, wounding one student identified as Feri Irawan.

Rikwanto denied that anyone was shot by the police. He said, quoting doctors with the hospital, that Feri was wounded in the stomach by a sharp object during the riot.

"The police only fired tear gas. The bullet casings students found came from blank shots, which were used to keep them on the campus," he said.

Rikwanto said two students and five police officers were injured in the incident, in which several vehicles were damaged. (fzm/iwa)