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Indonesian police arrest vigilantes for assaulting youths
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian police arrest vigilantes for assaulting youths

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Police in Solo, Indonesia, arrested four members of a vigilante group for allegedly intimidating and assaulting young people gathering at night.
  • The group, which covered their license plates, reportedly searched for and attacked individuals, with one victim reporting a stolen phone.
  • Authorities are investigating the incident, which involved alleged assault with objects and the use of modified cables and hoses as weapons.

Police in Solo, Indonesia, apprehended four individuals suspected of belonging to a vigilante group that allegedly intimidated and assaulted young people. The arrests occurred after the group conducted an unauthorized search for alcohol and attacked residents who were socializing.

For the time being, we have handed them over to the criminal investigation unit to be examined and handled further according to procedure.

— Edi SukamtoThe head of the Public Order Unit of the Surakarta Police explained the next steps in the investigation after arresting the suspects.

The incident took place in the Karangasem area of Laweyan, Solo, where Tim Sparta, a police unit, was patrolling. They received information about a group causing intimidation. Upon arrival, the group had dispersed, but witnesses reported that the youths were "shouted at" and physically assaulted, with some victims reporting being punched, kicked, and struck with objects. One victim also claimed their mobile phone was stolen.

From the examination, one of the four people arrested admitted that their group was carrying out 'sweeping' activities in the city of Solo.

— Edi SukamtoThe head of the Public Order Unit of the Surakarta Police confirmed the group's alleged actions.

Authorities identified the arrested individuals as DP (42), PA (19), and F (51) from Sukoharjo, and AR (39) from Laweyan, Solo. During their apprehension, police recovered two motorcycles with license plates covered in black tape. They also found modified cables and hoses, which the suspects allegedly discarded before being caught.

From a distance, the reporter saw the group shouting at the young people. Tim Sparta immediately went to the location. However, when the officers arrived, the group had already left the location.

— Edi SukamtoThe head of the Public Order Unit of the Surakarta Police described the initial police response to the incident.

Kasat Samapta Polresta Surakarta Kompol Edi Sukamto stated that the investigation is ongoing, with the suspects handed over to the criminal investigation unit for further proceedings. The group reportedly consisted of about 15 people on eight motorcycles, and they had covered their license plates to avoid identification.

One of the young people admitted that they were approached and immediately assaulted. He mentioned that some residents were beaten, kicked, and even hit with tools.

— Edi SukamtoThe head of the Public Order Unit of the Surakarta Police detailed the alleged violence against the victims.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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