Police detain dozens after night of protest violence in Yogyakarta
The violence followed demonstrations across several Indonesian cities on Tuesday over the government's management of the economy, its handling of devastating wildfires and stagnant wages.
Protesters clashed with security forces in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday over the government's handling of the economy, devastating wildfires, and stagnant wages. Police detained more than 150 individuals in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, as around 100 people gathered near the local council and hurled firecrackers, rocks, and Molotov cocktails at the building.
Authorities responded by deploying tactical vehicles to disperse the crowd and police seized evidence including six Molotov cocktails and 12 firecrackers. Tear gas and water cannons were used by police to disperse the protesters. Yogyakarta police spokeswoman Adj. Sr. Comr. Novita Eka Sari reported 154 people detained in connection with the unrest.
National Police Chief Gen. Suyudi Ario Seto pledged a thorough investigation into the incident, questioning whether there were efforts to deliberately cause damage or other objectives. Protests also took place in Surabaya, with demonstrators citing wildfires and rising food prices as reasons to take to the streets. The unrest followed Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's decision to resign at a meeting with President Prabowo, amid discussions about whether his eligibility to run in the 2024 election was compromised by insufficient education documents.
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