Jakarta Police Release 141 Minors Detained Amid Riots

Jakarta Police have released 141 out of 152 minors apprehended in connection with riots that occurred on Thursday, August 27. The remaining 11 minors are still in custody.

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From 152 children arrested, we released 141 people.

Of the 152 minors detained, 149 were male and three were female. Authorities reported that 123 of the detained minors were still attending school, while 26 had dropped out. During the investigation, police identified five minors who appeared to have intended to participate in the riots.

Police found evidence including gasoline and dried fruit, which they believe were intended for use as projectiles during the unrest. "We found gasoline that was ready to be used for burning and throwing into the crowd," stated Kombes Rita Wulandari Wibowo, Director of Crimes Against Women and Children for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

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We found gasoline that was ready to be used for burning and throwing into the crowd.

Authorities are also investigating allegations that the minors were exploited during the riots. Kombes Iman Imanuddin, Director of General Criminal Investigation for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, confirmed that investigators are looking into individuals who may have used or exploited the children. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has condemned the alleged exploitation of minors and urged police to apply the Juvenile Justice System law to those under 18 involved in the riots.

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Exploitation of children in mass demonstrations is a violation of children's basic rights protected by the constitution and Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection and Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Justice System.