The Indonesian government on Monday asked police to identify and punish those responsible for the tragedy at a stadium that left 125 dead and 323 injured, one of the deadliest in football history.
“We ask the national police to track down the perpetrators in the coming days”Indonesia’s Security Minister, Mahfud MD, said in a statement.
“We are asking them to reveal who committed the crimes and take action and we also expect the National Police to review their own security procedures”he added.
Penembakan gas air mata salah stu penyebab puluhan jiwa tewas di stadium kanjuruhan. STOP KOMPETISI ATAS DASAR KEMANUSIAN! CC @jokowi @Kiyai_MarufAmin pic.twitter.com/O5kgtSbgK7
– Instagram @akmalmarhali20 (@akmalmarhali) October 1, 2022
The incident took place during a football match between Arema FC and Indonesia’s Persebaya Surabay.
Arema FC supporters at Kanjuruhan Stadium burst into the field after their team lost 3-2 to visiting rival Persebaya Surabaya. Police, who described the riots as “riots”, said they tried to get supporters back to the stands and fired tear gas after two police officers were killed. According to the police, many of the victims were caught or suffocated.
National police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said investigators analyzed images from security cameras around the stadium to identify “suspects who committed the destruction”.
Arema FC chairman Gilang Widya Pramana apologized for the club’s role in the tragedy, in an emotional speech: “I, as chairman of Arema FC, will take full responsibility for the incident to all Indonesians and Liga 1.”
The newspaper Kompas published a black front page with the word “tragedy” and a stadium with the names of the victims.
Sahabat Compass, kami dedikasikan halaman utama kami untuk korban #TragediKanjuruhan. #PrayForKanjuruhan
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Baca informasi dan ulasannya lainnya di harian Compass dan https://t.co/Z6bhYbVMTg. #AdadiCompasshttps://t.co/gxC5uT66UX pic.twitter.com/3jnut1P0Fu– Harian Compass (@hariankompas) October 2, 2022
Outside the fence, people held a vigil this Sunday evening to honor the victims.
The graffiti painted on the walls revealed a bubbling anger at the authorities. “My brothers have been murdered. Investigate thoroughly,” it read on the stadium walls, accompanied by a black ribbon and the date of the disaster. “ACAB”, an acronym for “all cops are bastards”, was sprayed on another wall.
In Jakarta, hundreds of supporters gathered outside the country’s largest stadium on Sunday to chant ‘killer, killer’.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced an investigation, but human rights groups said it should be independent and officials should be held accountable for using tear gas in a confined area.
“We urge the authorities to conduct prompt, thorough and independent investigations into the use of tear gas at the stadium and ensure that those who committed violations are brought to justice,” Amnesty International said in a statement.
Meanwhile, an online petition titled “Police must stop using tear gas” gathered nearly 6,000 signatures Monday morning.
Arema FC coach, Chilean Javier Rocca, already told Spanish channel Cadena Ser that “the fans died in the arms of the players”. “I think the police crossed the line,” he said.
Source: DN
