Post by : Shakul

An Indonesian court has acquitted four activists who were accused of inciting the deadly nationwide student protests that erupted in 2025. The verdict was delivered by a court in Central Jakarta on Friday and has been described by human rights organizations as an important moment for civil liberties in the country.

The court cleared Delpedro Marhaen, a member of the Lokataru Foundation, along with three other activists who had been accused of encouraging people to participate in protests and spreading misinformation online. Judges ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the activists had incited violence or riots during the demonstrations.

The protests began in August 2025 and quickly spread across Indonesia, drawing thousands of students, activists and civilians. Demonstrators were protesting government spending priorities, including increased financial incentives for lawmakers. The situation escalated after police fatally shot a motorcycle taxi driver in Jakarta, triggering widespread unrest that lasted into September.

According to reports by human rights organizations, the protests resulted in at least 10 deaths and thousands of arrests. Nearly 7,000 people were detained during the unrest, with hundreds later sentenced while some remained in custody as of early 2026.

Following the court ruling, Delpedro Marhaen said the decision was not just a personal victory but also a sign of hope for other detainees. Rights groups including the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation welcomed the verdict but urged the government to strengthen protections for freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

Analysts say the protests were one of the biggest political challenges for President Prabowo Subianto since he won the 2024 presidential election. The unrest has also been compared to the historic 1998 student protests that led to the fall of long-time Indonesian leader Suharto and the end of decades of authoritarian rule.

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