REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Head of Public Relations National Police Setyo Wasisto said a total of 22 people were secured following a riot in front of Indonesia Legal Aid Institue (YLBHI) office on Monday (September 18).

He said the riot occured after LBH Jakarta holding an art performance on Sunday (Saturday 17) night. The event was packed in theme 'Asik-asik Aksi : Indonesia Darurat Demokrasi or Indonesia in Emergency of Democracy'.

"Yesterday, LBH held musical activity and on that event riot happened," Setyo said on Monday.

Afterwards, he said a group of people came and requested to dissolve the event. One of reasons was the art performance considered as an event supporting the communist party of Indonesia (PKI).

One of event members, Setyo said he already explained that the event was not related to PKI. However, the masses remained unconvinced and refused to disperse.

"We have clearly checked and the event is not related wit the so-called communist action or symbols, and etc. They are just doing the music event," Setyo explained.

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The mass still did not accept the music event. After that, they tried to push into LBH building and fight between police happened.

However, mediation between event organizers and the masses already intervened by Jakarta Police Chied Idham Azis. Several times negotiations were made, but mass kept asking to enter the building.

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