Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – Police named five suspects Thursday over this week's violent protests and are still questioning another 27 people at the city police station.

"Three people were charged with violating the Criminal Code for ambush and destruction, while the other two were charged with premeditated criminal action," city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said.

The five suspects were allegedly involved in the riots in three demonstrations in front of the House of Representatives building, Atma Jaya University in Central Jakarta and on Jl. Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta.

Of the five people, three were arrested on the scenes Tuesday, while the other two were arrested in a park in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.

Ketut said police had arrested 27 people at Jatinegara train station Wednesday. "I cannot confirm how many of the 27 were students. We just suspect that they are from Yogyakarta and Surabaya," he said.

Agus Priyanto, a student of Sunan Kalijaga University in Yogyakarta, said the 27 people arrested were fellow student activists from Yogyakarta who were on their way home.

He said students who joined the demonstration Tuesday had heard police would arrest them on campus. "We heard police went to Jakarta Muhammadiyah University recently to arrest activists," he said.

At least 1,000 students gathered in front of the House of Representatives building Tuesday, demanding to take part in the plenary session being held to discuss the government policy on fuel prices.

They burned tires in front of the building, blocked a section of Jl. Gatot Subroto, tried to break down the building's gates before clashing with police, who tried to arrest violent protesters.

Riots were also going on in the nearby areas. As many as nine cars were damaged, one of which was set on fire in front of Atma Jaya University.

The National Intelligence Agency chief Syamsir Siregar has accused a legislator from the House of Representatives of having funded Tuesday's protests.

"I was wondering why there were so many outsiders joining the protests, and then I found out they came from far away." He refused to elaborate on the individual or the party, but confirmed had reported his suspicions to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (ind)