Chaos Star update 22.1.26
Accused anarchist comrade Eat, in the Chaos Star case, has been released from the West Java paramilitary police compound to house/city arrest. Eat is expected to be watched closely by the Densus88 antiterrorist unit. Comrades and lawyers went to meet him and take him to get nutrition, medicine and rest. Eat remains under investigation and the case is still open. Here’s what Eat’s lawyer had to say about his status:
‘Eat was release by operation of law because the detention period during the investigation stage had expired and could not be extended. However, this release is temporary, as the legal process is still ongoing. The case is currently awaiting transfer from the prosecutor’s office. If it proceeds to the prosecution stage, Eat may be detained again and transferred to Kebon Waru Detention Center for trial.
From a substantive standpoint, Eat actually has a legal advantage in this case. The charges and the investigation report do not meet the required legal elements, particularly those related to incitement. There is no clear evidence of any direct call or instruction to organize or carry out last year’s protest, as alleged. because of this, the prosecutors themselves are hesitant to move the case forward to court.’
This hesitation has also influenced the investigator’s decision not to pursue a second case involving Eat and another named comrade. We thank everyone for their solidarity and support. Without international pressure, we do not believe that Eat would have been released.
Nothing is over. Eat could be re-arrested. There are another 73 accused anarchists and hundreds of prisoners of the uprising still detained. Yet this is a major success, since the Densus88 wanted to scapegoat Eat as the organizational figurehead and leader of the fake Chaos Star network and of the insurrection itself.
Please remain attentive to the health condition and legal process of Eat and that of the other prisoners. Anarchist comrade Dena remains in the West Java compound, and is also ill from lack of HIV medication. Take action and donate to Palang Hitam/ABC Indonesia. We don’t have enough support to adequately provide infrastructure to such a large number of prisoners at a time when the anarchist movement is under attack in Indonesia. To donate, contact Dark Nights, Actforfreedomnow, IWOC UK or any long-running established ABC group.
Fire to the prisons!
Palang Hitam/ABC