Ruby Rachmadina, Tri Susanto Setiawan, Jakarta – The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) has stated that 51 people who were detained during an International Labour Day (May Day) protest in front of the House of Representatives (DPR) building in Jakarta on Friday May 1 have now been sent home.
LBH Jakarta Public Attorney Nabil Hafizhurrahman said the scores of people were part of the 101 previously detained by the Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police (Polda Metro Jaya).
"Of the 51 people, as of last night, those arrested were in the process of being sent home. Although they are still waiting for their families to pick them up", said Hafizhurrahman said when contacted by Kompas.com on Saturday May 2.
Despite this, LBH Jakarta highlighted alleged procedural violations during the arrest process.
Hafizhurrahman stated that their legal team found indications of violations of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), including the confiscation of mobile phones (HP) belonging to protesters without clear grounds.
"There were several alleged violations of the KUHAP, such as the confiscation of the HPs of protesters arrested, even though no criminal offense has been found", he said.
In addition to this, LBH Jakarta also noted allegations of arbitrary searches of individuals with certain characteristics, including those wearing black.
According to Hafizhurrahman, the majority of those detained were the result of police sweeps, and some had reportedly not even arrived at the protest location in the area of the DPR building.
"The majority of the protesters arrested were the result of police sweeps. They had not yet reached the action assembly point", said Hafizhurrahman.
LBH Jakarta believes these actions have the potential to restrict freedom of expression, which is guaranteed by law and the Constitution.
Hafizhurrahman also revealed that several protesters claimed they were directed by uniformed officers to board buses for specific destinations, but were instead taken to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters.
"At that time, there were plainclothes police officers around the Palmerah [area] who then directed the protesters to board buses headed for the concert venue. Instead of arriving at the concert venue, the bus headed to the Polda Metro Jaya", he said.
Furthermore, LBH Jakarta stated that they have already checked the legal status of the dozens of people, and to date they have yet to find anyone who has been declared a suspect by police.
"So far from the 51 people we have identified none have the status of suspect and all of them have been sent home", said Hafizhurrahman.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "LBH Jakarta Ungkap Dugaan Pelanggaran saat Penangkapan Massa Demo Buruh di DPR".]
