Indonesian police have killed 11 suspected petty criminals and shot dozens more in a heavy-handed campaign to free the capital, Jakarta, of street crime before next month’s Asian Games.
Jakarta police spokesman Prabowo Argo Yuwono said on Tuesday that nearly 2,000 people have been arrested since the operation began on July 2. He said 52 were shot for resisting arrest and 11 of them died.
“Police won’t hesitate to take firm measures including shooting suspects if they resist arrest,” Yuwono said.
The Asian Games flame arrives at Adi Sutjipto military airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on July 17. Photo: EPA
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He said it was part of a two-month campaign against thieves, thugs and other street criminals to boost security for the Asian Games, which take place in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 3.
Human Rights Watch decried the shootings and said they would not solve Jakarta’s security problems.
