Indonesian police to charge 6 people in soccer disaster that led to 131 deaths

Indonesian police said Thursday they are bringing criminal charges against three officers and three civilians for their roles in the deaths of 131 people when police fired tear gas inside a soccer stadium, setting off a panicked run for the exits in which many were crushed.

National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the suspects include the head of PT Liga Indonesia Baru, which administers the country's top professional soccer division and is responsible for ensuring that stadiums have a proper operating certificates. He said the stadium in Malang city did not meet the requirements for certification and had not been properly verified.

Prabowo said charges are also being brought against the chief executive of the match, the chief security officer and three police officers.

He said the Malang police head of operations is believed to have known that FIFA, the international soccer governing body, has advised against the use of tear gas in stadiums.

"However, he did not prevent or prohibit the use of tear gas when securing the match," Prabowo said in a televised news conference.

He said the two other police officers had ordered their subordinates to fire the tear gas. There were 11 officers who actually fired the gas, causing widespread panic as spectators tried to escape, he said.

There were delays in unlocking Gates 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, where many fans were crushed.

"The gates should be opened five minutes before the match ends. When they were opened, the openings were only 1.5 meters wide, and the gate stewards were not in their positions," Prabowo said.

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According to recommendations by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, exits at