Gede Suardana, Denpasar – The United Opposition Front (BOB) is to take legal action over an attack perpetrated by a gang of heavily-built men and police when they were holding a recent demonstration.

“We will endeavour to use legal action to solve the case. Tomorrow we will be reporting [the case] to police”, said BOB public relations officer Miftah at a press conference at the secretariat of the Udayana University Student Executive Council (BEM) on Jalan Sudirman Denpasar on Tuesday October 5.

Miftah condemned the attitude of the police who appeared to allow the attack by the men to proceed unhindered. “It was as if the police who were all around us during the demonstration did not have the capacity to confront the 20-40 thugs who attacked us”, he complained.

BOB is calling on the police and the prosecutor’s office to investigate the case and arrest the perpetrators, including those involved in an early attack carried out by the Indonesian Sons and Daughters Communication Forum (FKPPI), an organisation of children of military officers. “At the moment we are collecting evidence such as getting an affidavit from the victims of the beating”, said Miftah.

One of the victims of the attack was the chairperson of the Bali branch of the People’s Democratic Party, Agus Januraka, who was attacked by a gang of heavily-built men. As a result of being punched and kicked he was beaten black-and-blue, his left eye swollen and his right hand scratched and torn. He his being treated at the Sanglah public hospital. The other victims, Edo and Candra were punched in the head by the group while a third demonstrator, Izan, was hit in the chest by a police officer in full uniform.

Around 15 demonstrators from BOB held an anti-military demonstration on Jalan Sudirman Denpasar near the Udayana University. As they were about to disperse the demonstrator were attacked and beaten by a group of heavily-built men. (sss)

[Translated by James Balowski.]