Jakarta. Police have named 14 people as suspects in the attack and vandalism of the Jatinegara Sector Police Headquarters during a riot in East Jakarta on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Authorities confirmed that no members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) were involved, dismissing earlier reports suggesting soldiers had instigated the unrest to trigger a military emergency.

East Jakarta Metro Police Chief Alfian Nurrizal said all 14 suspects had been detained. Ten are adults with various occupations, while the other four are high school students.

“There are no TNI members involved. All 14 suspects are civilians,” Alfian told reporters on Monday.

According to police, the suspects played different roles in the attack that damaged facilities at the Jatinegara station. Two of them, identified as AR, 23, and RR, 27, both gas station employees, allegedly prepared Molotov cocktails.

The incendiary devices were assembled in front of a gas station in Cawang before being used to attack the police station, setting three motorcycles on fire.

Other suspects acted as provocateurs, shouting “burn down the police station” while recording the fire.

Investigators said the attackers’ original target was the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Headquarters in Kwitang, Central Jakarta. However, the assault was redirected to Jatinegara following on-the-spot provocation.

“They were initially heading toward Kwitang, but due to provocation, the attack shifted to Jatinegara,” Alfian explained.

Police are still probing the main motive behind the coordinated assault and investigating whether intellectual actors were orchestrating the crowd. Authorities are also reviewing social media footage to identify additional perpetrators.

The 14 suspects face multiple charges, including vandalism, arson, and possession of improvised explosives endangering public safety.

“This case is a serious concern. We urge the public not to be easily provoked into acts that harm others or break the law,” Alfian said.

The Jatinegara police station was attacked around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 30, with two motorcycles and one Yamaha Vixion motorcycle burned. Police initially arrested four suspects, including ST, who allegedly recorded and spread a provocative video on social media urging people to burn down the station.

Alfian stressed the case qualifies as a serious criminal offense. The suspects are being charged under the Criminal Code, including Article 170 on assault and Article 213 on attacks against officials on duty. “The maximum penalty could reach nine years in prison,” he said.

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