Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesian police on Sunday arrested 72 people suspected of starting some of the recent forest and peatland fires as huge b

The suspects could face charges that carry penalties ranging from hefty fines to prison terms of up to 15 years, said a director at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency.

Indonesia has been battling fires driven by an intensifying El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency.

Indonesian authorities arrested 72 people suspected of starting some of the forest and peatland fires as huge blazes in central and west Indonesia triggered choking haze. Indonesia has been battling fires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Mala

Most of the suspects were accused of deliberately burning land to clear areas for plantations at lower cost, officials say

Indonesian authorities arrested 72 people suspected of starting some of the forest and peatland fires as huge blazes in central and west Indonesia triggered choking haze.

Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires  Toronto Star

Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires

Indonesian authorities have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires

Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires  AP News