Arrests made during Indonesian leg of Olympic torch relay
Tuesday, 22 Apr 2008 16:32
Police in Jakarta arrest eight people during demonstrations
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Police in Jakarta have arrested eight people during demonstrations as the Olympic torch visited Indonesia today, the Associated Press agency has reported.
Water cannons and around 3,000 police officers were reportedly deployed at the Bung Karno Sports Complex, where the invitation-only ceremony took place.
The Chinese Embassy allegedly insisted that original plans to have the torch pass through the streets of Indonesia's capital have been scrapped and instead the ceremony should be held behind closed doors.
Organisers are trying desperately to avoid any repeat of the scenes experienced in London, Paris and San Francisco where pro-Tibetan demonstrators staged large-scale protests against China.
Demonstrators worldwide are using the torch's passage through 22 countries, from Athens to Beijing, as an opportunity to protest against China's human rights record and its handling of recent uprisings in Tibet.
The Chinese Xinhua state news agency declared today's relay as a success, claiming: "Thousands of people, including many high school students and Chinese expatriates, have joined the parade on the streets heading to and inside the venue with high enthusiasm, chanting supports for the Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games."
The Olympic torch will now head to Australia, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam before making its way to Beijing for the opening ceremony on August 8th.