Indonesian Parliament promises to drop charges against 16 Trisakti University students

Leaders of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) have promised to revoke the suspect status of 16 Trisakti University students who were arrested during a protest last year. The pledge came during a meeting with the students as they demonstrated in front of the DPR building in Jakarta.

Saan Mustopa, a Deputy Speaker of the DPR, announced that the students' suspect status would be lifted within the coming week. He was joined by fellow Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Chairman of Commission III, Habiburokhman, who met with the student protesters atop a mobile command vehicle. The students were demonstrating against various issues, including free nutritious meals, village cooperatives, and fuel price hikes.

The 16 Trisakti University students were declared suspects by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police following a protest outside the Jakarta City Hall that turned chaotic. They were accused of criminal acts including incitement, mob violence, assault, and resisting law enforcement officers. Police alleged the protesters attempted to force their way into the City Hall complex and attacked security personnel.

Prosecutors charged the students under several articles of the Criminal Code, including incitement, collective violence, assault, and resisting officers, with potential penalties ranging from four months to six years imprisonment. The student coalition, comprising over a thousand participants from Trisakti University, Esa Unggul University, Mercubuana University, and the Islamic Student Association (HMI), dispersed after the DPR leadership met with them.

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Regarding the 16 Trisakti University students, whose status is still suspects but not yet processed, the Chairman of Commission III has already communicated. In the next week, God willing, the suspect status of these 16 Trisakti University students will be revoked.