The Bandung Alliance of Independent Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen Kota Bandung) condemned the violent methods used by the police in handling the protests of the residents of Dago Elos, Bandung, Monday, August 14, 2023. In addition to residents and solidarity groups, violence also befell two journalists who were covering the events at the location.

From the report received by AJI Bandung, the journalists who were beaten were AR from Bandung Bergerak online media; and AES, a journalist from Radar Bandung. The beatings were carried out on the shoulders, abdomen, thighs, hands, hair was grabbed, and the head was hit. When the incident happened, they ran to a resident's house, which was then visited by the police.

AR who was arrested had claimed to be a journalist and showed his press identity, but was ignored. "He was even threatened to be killed or killed by the police," said Fauzan Sazli, Coordinator of the Advocacy Division of AJI Bandung through a press release, Thursday, August 16, 2023. According to AJI Bandung, violence committed by the police against journalists is a serious crime.

The police not only violated Press Law No. 40 of 1999 Article 4 paragraph 3, but also committed a criminal offense in violation of Article 170 of the Criminal Code. Police officers have obstructed and hindered the work of journalists under the provisions of Article 4 paragraph (3). According to Fauzan, this action can be imprisoned for a maximum of 2 years, and a maximum fine of Rp 500 million.

In addition, police officers have also committed arbitrary violence against persons or property as stipulated in Article 170 of the Criminal Code. This action is punishable by a maximum imprisonment of five years and six months. "There is no reason for police officers to commit violence against journalists. If left unchecked, this incident will set a bad precedent for the climate of press freedom in Indonesia," he said.

AJI Bandung condemns the violent methods used by the police against journalists covering the riots at Dago Elos. In addition, AJI Bandung also urged the police to thoroughly investigate this case of violence against journalists. Similar insistence was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Dago Against Forum, Angga Sulistia Putra. According to him, the problem of apparatus violence must be highlighted. "Don't let freedom of expression, freedom of the press also be threatened," he said when met at Dago Elos, Wednesday, August 16, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Bandung Police Chief, Chief Commissioner Budi Sartono, who was met by Tempo after a meeting with representatives of Dago Elos residents and their attorneys, was reluctant to provide information when asked about violence against journalists by the authorities.

The Dago Elos riots on Monday night, August 14, 2023, occurred after residents accompanied by legal counsel reported alleged fraud by those who would evict their homes to the police. Heri Pramono, a member of the legal team from the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH), said that the residents had reported the alleged fraud twice to the Bandung Police Station, previously in March.

Both reports were rejected on the same grounds of lack of evidence. The police, among others, asked for proof of land ownership certificates of the residents who reported so that there was legal standing. "We want to report the crime, but why do we keep discussing the land," said Heri, Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Returning to Dago Elos, residents who were disappointed waiting for the results of the report since morning, blocked the highway in front of Terminal Dago Bandung while burning tires. At that time, negotiations were held between residents and the police to open the road and residents were asked to return to submit a report to the Bandung Police Headquarters. However, the plan fell apart when tear gas was fired.