Indonesia policemen on trial for negligence over deadly soccer stampede
An Indonesian court began a trial on Monday of a handful of police and match officials charged with negligence over their alleged roles last year in one of the world's deadliest soccer stadium stampedes.
The disaster, in which 135 people died, occurred at a match in October at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java and prompted widespread questions about safety standards and the use of tear gas, a crowd-control measure banned by soccer’s global governing body, FIFA.
The court in Surabaya on Monday heard the charges against three police officers, a security official and a match organiser, who each face a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted.
The trial is being held via teleconference due to security concerns, said court spokesperson Agung Pranata.
Indonesia’s human rights commission, which conducted an investigation into the stampede last November, found police fired 45 rounds of tear gas into the crowd at the end of the match, causing panic that led to the stampede.
Investigators concluded that excessive and indiscriminate use of tear gas was the main cause of the crush.
The commission said locked doors, an overcapacity stadium and failure to properly implement safety procedures exacerbated the death toll.
A lawyer for the match organiser from Arema, one of the clubs involved in the match, said his client denied all charges.
“If there is negligence it should be on the police, who fired the tear gas, not us,” said Sudarman, the lawyer.
Lawyers for the police and security officers on trial were not immediately available for comment.
Rini Hanifah, whose son died in the stampede and who attended Thursday’s trial, called for harsh punishment.
“My son and all the dead victims are innocent, they were just going there for fun” said Rini.
“I am very disappointed…. I had hoped for the death penalty for all five defendants.”
Indonesian President Joko Widodo after the incident announced that all league matches would be suspended and that Kanjuruhan stadium would be demolished and rebuilt.
League games have since resumed but without spectators.
An Indonesian court began a trial on Monday of a handful of police and match officials charged with negligence over their alleged roles last year in one of the world’s deadliest soccer stadium stampedes.
The disaster, in which 135 people died, occurred at a match in October at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java and prompted widespread questions about safety standards and the use of tear gas, a crowd-control measure banned by soccer’s global governing body, FIFA.
The court in Surabaya on Monday heard the charges against three police officers, a security official and a match organiser, who each face a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted.
The trial is being held via teleconference due to security concerns, said court spokesperson Agung Pranata.
Indonesia’s human rights commission, which conducted an investigation into the stampede last November, found police fired 45 rounds of tear gas into the crowd at the end of the match, causing panic that led to the stampede.
Investigators concluded that excessive and indiscriminate use of tear gas was the main cause of the crush.
The commission said locked doors, an overcapacity stadium and failure to properly implement safety procedures exacerbated the death toll.
A lawyer for the match organiser from Arema, one of the clubs involved in the match, said his client denied all charges.
“If there is negligence it should be on the police, who fired the tear gas, not us,” said Sudarman, the lawyer.
Lawyers for the police and security officers on trial were not immediately available for comment.
Rini Hanifah, whose son died in the stampede and who attended Thursday’s trial, called for harsh punishment.
“My son and all the dead victims are innocent, they were just going there for fun” said Rini.
“I am very disappointed…. I had hoped for the death penalty for all five defendants.”
Indonesian President Joko Widodo after the incident announced that all league matches would be suspended and that Kanjuruhan stadium would be demolished and rebuilt.
League games have since resumed but without spectators.
MALANG, Indonesia — Seventeen children were among at least 125 people killed in a soccer stampede in Indonesia at the weekend, officials said, as pressure builds on the Southeast Asian nation to explain how one of the world’s worst stadium disasters unfolded.
JAKARTA — It was the closing stages of the match, a soccer derby in Indonesia’s East Java province, and 29-year-old spectator Ahmad Nizar Habibi said he had a gut feeling things were about to turn ugly.
Dong Thanh Communal House, also known as Hang Vai Communal House, is a sacred place of worship dedicated to the revered Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu. Within its confines lies a centuries-old ancient water well, exquisitely carved and dating back over 200 years. This house of worship, with its rich history and intricate design, stands as a testament to the cultural and spiritual heritage of the community it serves.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a strong rebuke to the Trudeau administration following violent clashes outside a Hindu temple in Brampton this past weekend.
The 2024 Asian Buddhist Summit, a two-day event held on November 5-6, convened a diverse group of scholars, experts, and practitioners from across Central, Southeast, and East Asia. The summit, organized by the International Buddhist Confederation, delved into the propagation of Dhamma and the enduring significance of the Pali language in interpreting the teachings of the Buddha. The second day, hosted at the prestigious The Ashok H, continued this exploration, offering a profound insight into the spread and relevance of Buddhism in the modern world.
Hanoi, a city of captivating moments, is beautifully portrayed through the lens of these photographers. Their profound love for the city is evident in every image, capturing the very essence of Hanoi's unique charm.