Indonesian police’s book seizures in protest crackdowns draw flak

Such books later presented as ‘evidence’ of violent activity; rights groups slam practice

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Indonesia's police say they do not oppose reading but argue that certain books could be linked to recent riots.

(THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK)

A recent wave of book confiscations during police crackdowns on alleged “provocateurs” behind nationwide protests has been met with sharp criticism from rights groups, who say the moves undermine freedom of expression.

Following unrest in August over economic hardship and public frustration at officials’ perceived insensitivity, police across several provinces arrested dozens accused of inciting riots and vandalism. Alongside the detentions, officers also seized books, later presented as “evidence” of the suspects’ alleged violent activity.

One recent raid in Kediri, East Java, led to the confiscation of many books that the police claimed to showcase the suspects’ “anarchism”, including Pemikiran Karl Marx (The Thoughts Of Karl Marx) by Franz Magnis-Suseno, Kisah Para Diktator (The Dictators) by Jules Archer, Anarkisme (Anarchism) by Emma Goldman, and Strategi Perang Gerilya (Guerilla Warfare) by Che Guevara.

“As evidence, we secured Il books on anarchist ideology, 42 stones, 10 hoodie jackets, 18 cellphones, nine motorbikes, as well as stolen vests and shields,” East Java Police general crimes investigation director Widiatmoko said last week, according to a report by Indonesian news outlet Tempo.