Bandung – The Bandung District Court sentenced on Tuesday two board members of the Indramayu United Farmers (STI) to one-and-a-half years in prison each for instigating a riot after a demonstration opposing the development of a dam in the Loyang block, Bubur Gadung village, Indramayu regency, West Java.

The defendants, Rojak and Khamsah, along with three other activists who will be tried separately, were arrested in August last year following the rally, which turned violent.

During the demonstration, several farmers were beaten by a group of unidentified men. To avenge their attack, the farmers then burned an excavator and two other pieces of heavy equipment at the project site.

"The defendants confirmed that those who had caused the damage were members of Indramayu United Farmers. The demonstrators had gathered after receiving text messages from the defendants," presiding judge Marudut Bakara said.