Purwokerto – In a country were illegal logging and forest conversion is rife, a central Java teenager is facing the prospects of 10 years behind bars after he was arrested for allegedly stealing two pine tress from a state-owned plantation company.

Rahardiyan Prasetyo, a lawyer acting for the accused, identified by his initials as WT, said his client from Cilongok subdistrict in Banyumas district had been charged with stealing the trees from Perum Perhutani in East Banyumas and was being tried in the Navan District Court.

During WT's first appearance last month, prosecutor Ninik Rahma said WT had violated articles 50 and 78 of the 1999 Forestry Law, which carry maximum penalties of 10 years in jail.

Rahardiyan said he would argue that his client was just a minor who had admitted his actions.

The decision to charge the boy will likely bring derision from many quarters, including environmentalists angered by elements of the government and military in rampant illegal logging throughout the country.

Few people involved in the destructive practice have ever been charged, and those who are convicted received laughably light sentences.