Verrianto Madjowa, Gorontalo – At least 50 environmental activists and members of the people experienced violence with regard to environment and natural resources management during 2006. The cases of violence occurred in South-East Sulawesi, Sumbawa, Manado, Aceh, Kalimantan and Jakarta.

"Seven cases were fully advocated from the investigation processes until the passing of verdicts," said Kurniawan, Coordinator of the Advocation Network for Activists and Environmentalists during a break of the "Workshop on Violence in the Sulawesi Regional Forests of Gorontalo", on Thursday (01/25).

According to Kurniawan, they have commonly become the accused and defendants by virtue of fighting against companies.

They were reported to police and taken to court as a measure to mitigate their fight. They were usually tried under articles relating to spoiling good reputation, incitement and unpleasant action.