Yogyakarta, Indonesia – A protest outside the Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) headquarters on Tuesday evening, February 24, 2026, escalated as demonstrators breached security barriers and vandalized the building, culminating in the collapse of a gate. The demonstration stemmed from widespread anger over alleged police brutality in a separate incident, highlighting growing public discontent with law enforcement actions.
The unrest began as a gathering of protesters who initially dismantled water barriers and pushed against security barricades at the eastern entrance of the Polda DIY complex. The situation reached a critical point at 6:43 PM local time when the eastern gate was breached due to the increasing pressure from the crowd, according to Suara.com. Following the breach, some individuals proceeded to deface the exterior walls of the police headquarters.
The surge of protesters onto the Ring Road Utara significantly disrupted traffic flow, with demonstrators independently redirecting vehicles and causing substantial congestion near the Condongcatur and UPN intersections. Authorities temporarily closed the road and diverted traffic, as reported by Humasjogja on Instagram and Humas Pemda DIY on Facebook.
Protest Rooted in Allegations of Police Brutality
The demonstration was a collective response to an incident involving alleged violence by a member of the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) against a 14-year-old student, Arianto Tawakal, in Tual, Maluku. According to reports, Arianto Tawakal died after being struck in the head with a helmet during an encounter with the officer. Protesters expressed outrage over the incident, viewing it as a manifestation of unchecked police power. “This is an expression of public anger regarding what happened in Maluku,” stated Ude, one of the protesters, as reported by Kumparan. “There was a 14-year-old boy who wasn’t doing anything wrong, riding his motorcycle, and was suddenly hit in the head with a helmet and died.”
Protesters voiced a lack of faith in recent police reforms, which have been touted since 2025. “This action is an attempt to express our anger,” Ude added. The walls of the Polda DIY were defaced with slogans including “All Cops Are Bastards” and “Murderers,” reflecting the intensity of the protesters’ feelings.
Traffic Disruption and Subsequent Dispersal
The disruption to traffic on Ring Road Utara was significant, with vehicles from the west being forced to turn back, creating a prolonged traffic jam. As of late Tuesday evening, the situation remained tense, with a heavy police presence maintaining a perimeter behind the breached gate.
The situation began to de-escalate as a group of individuals arrived and dispersed the remaining protesters. The identity of this group remains unknown. Shortly after, heavy rain began to fall, contributing to the dispersal of the crowd. By early Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, traffic flow on Ring Road Utara had returned to normal, according to a report on Instagram.
Ongoing Investigation and Potential Aftermath
The incident raises questions about police accountability and public trust in law enforcement. Authorities have not yet released a statement regarding the protesters’ demands or any plans for investigation into the alleged police brutality in Tual. The events in Yogyakarta underscore the demand for transparency and responsiveness in addressing allegations of misconduct within the police force. The coming days will likely observe increased scrutiny of the incident and calls for a thorough investigation.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as authorities assess the damage and respond to the concerns raised by the protesters. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.
