Indonesia fires police officer over killing that fuelled protests

"The officer was one of seven riding the armoured car that killed a delivery driver, which ignited the mass protests. Indonesian authorities have fired a police officer who was involved in the death of a delivery driver who was killed after being hit by an armoured police vehicle in an attempt to quell the ongoing antigovernment protests. National police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said on Wednesday that officer Cosmas K Gae had acted unprofessionally during the protest, describing his behaviour as a reprehensible act."

"As a sanction, this required dishonourable dismissal as a member of the national police, Trunoyudo said in comments to reporters aired by broadcaster Kompas TV. Cosmas, who had been one of seven detained officers involved in the incident, was not in the front seat of the vehicle. He was seen crying in footage of the hearing and said he never intended to kill anyone, according to the Reuters news agency."

"Since last week, protests, led by students, workers and rights groups, have erupted across the country against economic inequality, perks for the lawmakers and police brutality. At least 10 people have been killed during the demonstrations, which have sparked some looting and rioting and have been met with tear gas and rubber bullets fired by security forces. According to the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), at least 20 people were still missing as of Monday."

An Indonesian police officer, Cosmas K Gae, was dishonourably dismissed after an armoured police vehicle killed a delivery driver during antigovernment protests. National police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko described Cosmas's conduct as unprofessional and reprehensible. Cosmas, one of seven detained officers, said he never intended to kill anyone, was seen crying at a hearing, and is considering an appeal; the fate of the other six officers remains undecided. Nationwide protests led by students, workers and rights groups oppose economic inequality, parliamentary perks and police brutality. At least 10 people have died, looting occurred, security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets, and KontraS reported about 20 people missing.

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