Riyan Rizki Roshali, Jakarta – The social and political affairs coordinator for the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI), Hafidz Hernanda, was allegedly assaulted by unidentified individuals (OTK) while riding his motorcycle in the Tebet area of South Jakarta on Sunday October 4. The assault is suspected to be linked to plans for a peaceful protest.
Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid suspects that the attack on Hernanda was connected to his plans along with several other university groups to hold a peaceful demonstration on October 20.
"We recently met with brother Hafidz Hernanda at an event commemorating Black September, and he was indeed planning a very peaceful protest for October 20". said Hamid on Tuesday October 6.
"It's quite likely that the attack on Hafidz, which occurred around midnight on Sunday, October 4, is very much related to Hafidz's plans together with a number of campuses to convey their aspirations to the government. What's more we know Hafidz is a student activist who is very critical and brave in voicing the aspirations of the ordinary Indonesian people", he added.
Amnesty condemns the attack suffered by Hernanda. Hamid explained that Hernanda was assaulted to the point of falling off his motorcycle and was even allegedly threatened with a firearm.
"The act of violence against Hafidz is completely unjustifiable. He was kicked while riding his motorcycle until he fell, beaten and even threatened with death, even his mobile phone was seized and he was threatened with what appeared to be a weapon", he said.
Hamid believes the incident experienced by Hernanda clearly violates the law and threatens civil liberties. Therefore, he is urging the government and the police to apprehend the perpetrators of the assault.
"Once again, we urge the government and the authorities, to the authorised parties especially the police to immediately find the perpetrators, arrest them and bring them to justice," he stated.
From the chronology that is circulating on social media, Hernanda was reportedly attacked by unidentified individuals on Sunday night at around 11.50 pm in the Tebet Barat Dalam IX area of South Jakarta.
In the narrative shared by the account @gerpolekid, the incident began when the victim was riding his motorcycle and was suddenly attacked. In addition to inflicting physical violence, the perpetrators allegedly threatened the victim and stole his mobile phone. (cip)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Koordinator BEM UI Dianiaya OTK, Amnesty Internasional Duga Terkait Rencana Aksi Damai".]
