One dead, 12 hurt at Indonesia protest against Jakarta governor

Four protesters were also hurt, police say

JAKARATA: Indonesian police said one person had died and 12 were wounded during clashes on Friday, after tens of thousands of hard line Muslims rallied to demand the resignation of the Christian governor of the capital, Jakarta, over allegations of blasphemy.

The person who died was an elderly man and eight police officers were injured after protesters threw rocks, bamboo and other objects, Jakarta police spokesman Awi Setiyono told Reuters by telephone.

Four protesters were also hurt, he said.

Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters in front of the Presidential Palace earlier in the day. Local media also showed footage of a fire close to the nearby National Monument, with thick black smoke billowing.