Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Protesters gathered outside the Central Java Regional Police Headquarters in Semarang on Thursday evening to demand a transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old vocational high school student by a police officer.
According to DetikJateng, the protest organized by Kamisan Semarang, included students from Walisongo State Islamic University and Diponegoro University, as well as classmates of the victim, identified as GR. Participants, dressed in black, marched approximately 300 meters along Jalan Pahlawan to the police headquarters, where officers were stationed.
Protesters displayed large banners and staged a theatrical performance depicting a police officer shooting a civilian. Their demonstration stems from public outcry over inconsistencies in the case, which involved the death of GR, a student at SMKN 4 Semarang, during what authorities have described as a gang-related brawl.
Police allege that Aipda Robig Zaenudin, fired shots while intervening in a gang fight on November 24. GR was killed, and two other students, AD (17) and SA (16), sustained gunshot wounds. Aipda Robig Zaenudin claims he acted to break up a violent clash between rival gangs, identified as “Pojok Tanggul” and “Seroja.”
However, questions have arisen about the officer’s use of force including firing gunshot aimed at civilians
School and Classmates in Shock
According to Detik, Teachers and classmates at SMKN 4 Semarang were in shock after hearing the allegations that GR was involved in gang activity. Vice Principal Agus Riswantini described GR as a well-behaved and accomplished student.
“GR was active in the school’s Paskibraka [student flag-raising team] and had no disciplinary issues,” Riswantini said. “He recently won third place in a marching competition at the 2024 Porsimaptar event.”
Counselor Rizky Agung echoed these sentiments, emphasizing GR’s clean record and regular participation in extracurricular activities. “There’s no indication he was involved in brawls or other problems,” Agung said.
Ongoing Investigation
Central Java Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the case and have already carried out a reconstruction of the shooting incident, which left one person dead and two others injured.
Teenager Died after Got Shot by Police in Semarang Gang Clash
Central Java police also confirmed that Aipda Robig Zaenudin is under investigation for alleged violations of police ethics and has been placed in detention pending further inquiries.
“We’ve designated him as under examination for ethical violations and detained him accordingly,” said Central Java Police spokesperson Kombes Artanto.
The National Police have also dispatched a team from the Division of Profession and Security (DivPropam) and the Inspectorate of General Supervision (Itwasum) to assist with the investigation.
“We are committed to a transparent process involving external oversight,” said National Police Division Head Irjen Abdul Karim.
(Raidi/Agung)
