The trial for the death of 135 people from a heavy stampede on October 1, 2022 during a soccer match at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang began Monday in the Indonesian province of East Java.
The Surabaya District Court said the defendants, who include three police officers, a security officer and a senior official of one of the soccer clubs organizing the match — Arena FC and Persebaya Surabaya — could face jail terms of up to five years if found guilty.
«The recklessness of the defendants led to the death of these people,» prosecution documents state. The situation escalated significantly following the use of tear gas by security forces as thousands of supporters flooded the soccer field that October 1.
The use of tear gas — banned by FIFA for controlling large crowds at soccer matches — led to a stampede around the stadium’s exit gates.
More than a thousand police officers have been deployed to ensure security during the trial, which is being held in Surabaya, the country’s second largest city. In addition, fans of both clubs are prohibited from gathering in the vicinity.
A report by the Indonesian government found indications that the stampede was precisely the result of the use of tear gas by the police, and an investigation was opened into the actions of the security forces on that day.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
