Vento Saudale – Bogor public order officers violently dispersed worshipers outside the controversy-plagued GKI Yasmin church on Sunday.

"The congregation violated public order because they were holding prayers on public premises without permission," said Bambang Budiyanto, the head of the public order agency known as Satpol PP. "We had the right to force them to leave."

As many as 200 congregation members were forcibly evicted from the sidewalk where they say they have been forced to pray for more than a year since the city administration sealed the building.

Bambang claimed he was hit by a member of the congregation during clashes that occurred when officers asked the congregation to board a bus to take them to the Harmoni Hall, some 500 meters away. "I was hit on my left jaw. I will file a police complaint," he said.

Church spokesman Bona Sigalingging denied that any of the church members hit Bambang. "We have a video recording showing Bambang pushing his men from behind during the clash. He tripped on his own and fell," he said. "Members of our congregation even helped Bambang after he fell."

Bona said the church would file a police report against Bambang for using violent means to prevent a religious ceremony.

Hundreds of protesters from the Indonesian Muslim Communication Forum (Forkami) also gathered across the road from the church on Sunday morning. They claimed that they were there to witness church members be evacuated by public order officers.

The congregation has faced increasing harassment and intimidation by Forkami members over the past two weeks, in an attempt to force them to leave the church site. Last week, several members of the congregation were attacked. In the most recent protests against the congregation, Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto was also present.

Amnesty International, has urged its supporters to write to Diani, National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, and Ombudsman chairman Danang Girindrawardana to take measures to guarantee the safety of the Yasmin congregation in accordance with their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Eighteen lawmakers and 14 regional councilors have also written to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urging him to protect the Yasmin church congregation from physical attacks.

[Additional reporting by Ulma Haryanto & Markus Junianto Siahaan.]