Prosecutors indict 27 over fire tragedy, clears police of wrongdoing

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Monday indicted protesters over a deadly
fire that erupted during their standoff with the police but cleared police
officials from any wrongdoing.
On Jan. 19, a police swat team raided a dilapidated four-story building in
central Seoul to evict dozens of squatters opposing redevelopment of the area.
Six people, including a police officer, were killed in the blaze that occurred
during the pre-dawn raid.
Investigators at the Seoul Public Prosecutors' Office concluded that the fire was
caused by the protesters' mishandling of a large amount of paint thinners used in
makeshift bombs.
They cleared the police of any criminal charges, saying they were not directly
responsible for causing the fire and that the mobilization of police commandos
was legitimate.
Public pressure immediately mounted following the raid on Kim Seok-ki, the
outgoing Seoul police chief nominated to become the head of the national police,
to step down. Many blamed Kim for ordering the raid despite knowing the
protesters were armed with fire bombs and other inflammables.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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