Ambon – A district court in Ambon, the capital of Indonesia's Maluku province, has sentenced two members of the pro-independence group RMS to 15 and 17 years in prison for "plotting against the state".

Daniel Malawauw and Hermanus Daseran were arrested for manufacturing South Maluku Republic flags. Police found 59 outlawed flags and materials to make more flags in Mr Malawauw's home.

Last week, two Moluccans were arrested for unfurling Moluccan flags during a visit by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Their lawyers say that armed separatists from Aceh and Papua receive lighter sentences than Moluccans who unfurl forbidden flags.