An Indonesian court has sentenced a soccer club's organizer and its security chief to prison over a deadly stadium stampede last October.
The incident occurred after a professional match in Malang, East Java province. Police fired tear gas after fans of the defeated home team stormed the pitch, causing a stampede of panicked spectators. A total of 135 people were killed and more than 600 injured.
Local media say the organizing committee chair of the home team was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and the club's security chief to 12 months for negligence causing death and bodily harm.
They were found responsible for selling tickets beyond capacity and hindering the evacuation process.
A government fact-finding team concluded that the firing of tear gas was the main cause of the stampede resulting in the high number of deaths. Panicked fans tried to flee the choking smoke and run for the exits, but several gates were still locked after the match was over.
Guidelines set out by soccer's world governing body FIFA on stadium safety ban the use of firearms or tear gas at matches.
Three police officials who allowed or ordered officers to use tear gas are also being tried on the charges of negligence.