AFP :
At least six people were killed as Indonesia’s capital erupted in violence on Wednesday when police clashed with protesters opposed to the re-election of President Joko Widodo.
Dozens were arrested and parts of Jakarta were littered with debris and burned-out cars, as the
violence triggered security advisories from the US and Australian embassies.
Authorities also restricted access to some social media in a bid to stop rumours and fake news from spreading online.
National police chief Tito Karnavian said six people had died, but denied authorities had fired live rounds on the crowd, and called for calm.
“Some had gunshot wounds, some had blunt force wounds but we still need to clarify this,” he told reporters.
The violence came after Indonesia’s election commission on Tuesday confirmed Widodo had beaten retired military general Prabowo Subianto for the presidency in a poll held on April 17.
Subianto has said he would challenge the results in court-as he did, unsuccessfully, against Widodo in 2014 — but also warned his claims of widespread cheating could spark street protests.
That was borne out early Wednesday as protesters set market stalls and cars on fire while hurling fireworks and rocks at security personnel clad in riot gear and holding shields, an AFP reporter on the scene said.
The early morning clashes started after several thousand Subianto supporters rallied peacefully near the election supervisory agency’s office in the heart of the capital on Tuesday.
At least six people were killed as Indonesia’s capital erupted in violence on Wednesday when police clashed with protesters opposed to the re-election of President Joko Widodo.
Dozens were arrested and parts of Jakarta were littered with debris and burned-out cars, as the
violence triggered security advisories from the US and Australian embassies.
Authorities also restricted access to some social media in a bid to stop rumours and fake news from spreading online.
National police chief Tito Karnavian said six people had died, but denied authorities had fired live rounds on the crowd, and called for calm.
“Some had gunshot wounds, some had blunt force wounds but we still need to clarify this,” he told reporters.
The violence came after Indonesia’s election commission on Tuesday confirmed Widodo had beaten retired military general Prabowo Subianto for the presidency in a poll held on April 17.
Subianto has said he would challenge the results in court-as he did, unsuccessfully, against Widodo in 2014 — but also warned his claims of widespread cheating could spark street protests.
That was borne out early Wednesday as protesters set market stalls and cars on fire while hurling fireworks and rocks at security personnel clad in riot gear and holding shields, an AFP reporter on the scene said.
The early morning clashes started after several thousand Subianto supporters rallied peacefully near the election supervisory agency’s office in the heart of the capital on Tuesday.
