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outh Sumatra Chapter Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) director Anwar Sadat and his aide Dedek Chaniago were sentenced by the Palembang District Court to seven months in prison for violating Article 160 of the Criminal Code on incitement.

According to presiding judge Arnelia, they were proven guilty of inciting farmers to destroy the fence of the South Sumatra Police headquarters on Jan. 29 during a protest demanding the dismissal of Ogan Komering Ilir Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Dheni Darmapala. Walhi deemed Dheni had committed human rights abuse over a land dispute case.

The charge by prosecutors of violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code on assault against police members was not proven.

“We will file an appeal against the verdict,” said prosecutor Mashun who indicted the defendants to two years.

Anwar and Dedek said they would consider the court ruling. Their lawyer, Mualimin, said the verdict had proven social activism is repressed by the authorities.

“Law enforcers do not want freedom of dignified, just and prosperous people,” said Mualimin, adding that Walhi activists were just providing advocacy to farmers in the protest and the two activists were not the main suspects in the case.