After the stampede in an Indonesian football stadium that killed 131, six people have been accused of negligent homicide by the judiciary. It is three police officers and three responsible for the security of the game, including the head of the organizing committee of the club Arema FC, as the Indonesian police chief Sigit Prabowo announced today.
Two of the accused police officers gave the order to use tear gas in the Malang stadium in the east of the island of Java, the police chief said. The third police officer knew about the safety regulations of the world football association (FIFA), which prohibit the use of tear gas on the sidelines, but did not prevent this use. The accused face prison sentences of up to five years.
Tear gas, batons and kicks against fans
The stampede began when supporters of the local club stormed onto the pitch after a defeat by arch-rivals Persebaya Surabaya. When the police used tear gas, panic broke out. According to survivors, officers also used batons and kicks against fans.
According to the authorities, 4,000 more tickets were sold than permitted. According to witnesses, some exits from the stadium were also said to have been closed. While some spectators were able to climb over fences to safety, the weaker were crushed to death.