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Environmental activist arrested after villagers burn down factory over pollution

Tirto - March 5, 2018

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Hendra Friana – Muhammad Hisbun Payu (Is), an environmental activist from Sukoharjo in Central Java, was arrested by police in front of the Alfamidi minimarket in the Lenteng Agung area of South Jakarta on Sunday March 4.

A 11.15pm, eight police officers who claimed to be from the East Java regional police (Polda Jateng), escorted Hisbun into a white Avanza car then transferred him to a police vehicle with number plates AB 1747.

When contacted by Tirto, Bowo, one of the police officers who arrested Hisbun, confirmed the arrest. Bowo said that Hisbun had already been delivered to the Central Java police headquarters (Mapolda) and would soon undergo questioning.

"He's already been taken to Polda Jateng. For further information please enquire at the Mapolda Jateng", said Bowo when contacted by Tirto on Monday March 5.

Ivan Wagner, a Semarang Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) public defender is assisting Hisbun. He said that Hisbun and two others were arrested and declared suspects on charges of vandalising the PT Rayon Utama Makmur (RUM) factory in Sukoharjo, Central Java, on February 24.

The Sukoharjo police issued the arrest warrants for the three for allegedly violating Article 170 Paragraph 1 and Article 187 Paragraphs 1 and 2.

"Based on the arrest warrant, it cites clauses from Article 170 (1) on vandalism and Article 187 (1 and 2) on arson, the two articles carry a sentence of 12 and 15 years in jail respectively", said Wagner.

The PT Rayon Utama Makmur was burnt down by local people angered over processed rayon fiber waste causing air pollution in villages surrounding the factory. They had been demonstrating in front of the factory since January 19. (hen/rat)

[Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service. The original title of the article was Polisi Tangkap Aktivis Lingkungan Solo Atas Dugaan Perusakan Pabrik.]

Source: https://tirto.id/polisi-tangkap-aktivis-lingkungan-solo-atas-dugaan-perusakan-pabrik-cFFm.

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