Two human rights activists in Indonesia were indicted Monday by the country's public prosecutor, which sought years-long sentences for both in a defamation case brought against them by a top minister.
Rights groups have criticised Jakarta for what they say is an increasing crackdown on rights defenders in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, particularly against critics of the government.
Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar were indicted by the public prosecutor at East Jakarta district court at a hearing Monday after they were sued in 2021 by Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment.
The case relates to a YouTube conversation between the pair, which included an unreported third person, in which they talked about a report on alleged links between military figures and mining interests in the restive eastern region of Papua.
Pandjaitan, a former military general, was allegedly discussed by the two in the video.
The prosecutor sought three-and-a-half years in prison for Maulidiyanti and a 500,000 rupiah ($32) fine, which would add six months prison time if unpaid.
They sought four years for Azhar and a one million rupiah fine, with the same conditions attached.
A lawyer for the two, Muhammad Isnur, criticised the decision as further squeezing civic space in Indonesia.
"This demand is a form of trampling on the law and a dangerous alarm for democracy, particularly civil liberties in Indonesia," he said.
Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid called for the pair to be immediately released.
"This disgraceful indictment will have a destructive effect on the work of human rights defenders in Indonesia," he said in a statement.
"These alarming indictments illustrate the increasing oppression faced by activists who express dissenting opinions."
The coordinating ministry of maritime affairs and investment did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 27, with the pair given two weeks to prepare their defence statements.
AFP
