JAKARTA, Jan 15 — An Indonesian court has convicted a woman of incitement over social media posts made during nationwide protests last year, as activists warn that hundreds of others remain on trial over the unrest.
JAKARTA, Jan 15 — An Indonesian court has convicted a woman of incitement over social media posts made during nationwide protests last year, as activists warn that hundreds of others remain on trial over the unrest.
Judges in Jakarta found 26-year-old Laras Faizati Khairunnisa guilty of spreading incitement online, including an Instagram post urging people to burn the National Police headquarters. The posts emerged amid protests in late August and early September, initially triggered by lawmakers’ perks and later intensified by the death of a delivery driver struck by a police vehicle.
Laras, who had been in detention since Sept 1, was sentenced to six months in prison but instead received a one-year probation and was released after the hearing.
The judge said the sentence focused on education and encouraging more responsible use of social media. Laras welcomed her release but said criticism and expressions of anger should not be criminalised. She has seven days to appeal.
Amnesty International Indonesia criticised the ruling as a blow to freedom of expression, warning it could have a chilling effect on society. The group said about 290 people, including 14 activists, are currently facing charges linked to the protests.
The demonstrations marked Indonesia’s most violent unrest since President Prabowo Subianto took office in 2024, with thousands arrested nationwide. — AFP
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