An Indonesian court on Thursday handed down jail sentences against the organizer and security chief of a Football match that ended with 135 dead after a great riot.
The tragedy happened in October at a stadium in Malang, after police used tear gas against the packed stands to stop an attempt to invade the pitch.
Hundreds of people rushed into the narrow exit corridors, which sparked a huge riot that ended with the death of 135 fans by crushing or suffocation.
Abdul Haris, the organizer of the game, was found guilty of negligence and sentenced to 18 months in prison, well below the six years and eight months requested by the prosecution.
“I sentence the accused to a year and a half in prison,” announced Judge Abu Achmad Sidqi Amsya, president of the Surabaya city court, in the first sentence of the indonesian justice on the tragedy.
The judges also sentenced security chief Suko Sutrisno to one year in prison for negligence.
The two men can file appeals against the penalties.
Three police officers were also accused of the tragedy and are awaiting sentence.
The former director of the company that manages Indonesia’s first division championship is also suspected and the subject of police investigation.
The match on 1 October was a clash between rivals Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, with the latter winning 3–2.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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