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UMENEP, East Java: A lone protester let loose more than 100 poisonous snakes in the Sumenep District Court to vent his anger after judges rejected his claim that he was the rightful owner of a 2,500-square-meter property on which the government built a school 35 years ago.

The court recently ruled in favor of the government, which insisted that it would pay Muhammad Amin the compensation only if he could prove his claim with legal documents.

He came to the court accompanied by two persons, each carrying a sack.

In his fiery speech at the court’s office, the 55-year-old villager from the Kangean islets off Madura Island became outraged, calling the verdict “just more proof that justice is never for ordinary people”.

“The powerful and the rich are untouchable. Where is the justice?” He went on to strongly criticize the fact that the judges in his case had issued their ruling despite that neither he nor his lawyers were present at the hearing.

Then, turning to the two men accompanying him, he said, “release the snakes”. They turned their sacks upside down, releasing the snakes into the building’s main lobby and adjacent offices, sending frightened employees and court attendants scurrying around in a panic.

“There are a lot of rats in this office that need exterminating,” Amin said, as terrified women screamed and ran away in fright.

Police rushed to the scene and arrested Amin. They said Amin could be charged under the Criminal Code for endangering public safety, kompas.com reported.