Some 10,000 people arrested in Chile in 4 months of protests

Massive demonstrations began on 14 October after a 30 percent increase in the underground fare was announced.

Chile’s National Institute of Human Rights (NHRI) said in a new report that the number of people arrested in the country during popular protests is increasing.

NHRI collected figures in the police headquarters and said that from 17 October to 3 February, at least 9,794 people were arrested.

NHRI also underlined that around 1,100 children and teenagers have been arrested. The report includes complaints, in some cases, of torture, severe mistreatment, and sexual violence.

Cities where the highest number of arrests were witnessed include the capital Santiago, Antofagasta, Copiapo, and Concepcion. 

In addition, police figures recording all detentions since October, when the anti-government protests started, reach a total of 21,911 people.

More than half of the arrests have been made with the accusation of public disorders and looting, which represent 23.7 percent of the arrests.

Massive demonstrations against the Chilean government and his right-wing president Sebastian Piñera began in Santiago on 14 October after a 30 percent increase in the underground fare was announced.