Indonesia: Activists face criminal charges for peaceful protests

Eight activists — Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, Muzaffar Salim, Khariq Anhar, Syahdan Husein, Wawan Hermawan, Saiful Amin, Shelfin Bima Prakosa, and Muhammad “Paul” Fakhrurrozi — have been arbitrarily arrested and charged solely for peacefully protesting or posting in support of recent demonstrations. Their arrests form part of a wider violent crackdown by Indonesian police on nationwide protests that began on August 25, 2025.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to the Chief of Indonesian National Police urging him to:

• Immediately release Delpedro, Muzaffar, Khariq, Syahdan, Wawan, Saiful, Shelfin, Paul, and all others arbitrarily arrested or detained solely for protesting or expressing support for the protests and drop all related charges.
• End the criminalization of peaceful dissent and ensure that everyone can safely exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

Background on the activists

Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, Muzaffar Salim, Khariq Anhar, Syahdan Hussein, Wawan Hermawan, Saiful Amin, Shelfin Bima Prakosa, and Muhammad “Paul” Fakhrurrozi are Indonesian activists involved in student movements, civil society advocacy, and grassroots efforts promoting government accountability.

Nationwide protests and police crackdown

From August 25 to September 1, 2025, Indonesia saw its largest protests since the Reform era, driven by widespread frustration over economic hardship and state budget decisions perceived as neglecting the public. Amnesty International documented unlawful force, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation by security forces against peaceful protesters.

Arrests and criminal charges

The eight activists were arrested separately during a sweeping police crackdown that many described as the most extensive repression in decades. They were accused of “inciting violence” and charged under Article 160 of the Criminal Code and Articles 28(3) and 45A(3) of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.

According to the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD), many arrests lacked legal basis or warrants. Police also seized books, documents, and electronic devices from activists and civil society groups, reflecting a pattern of expanding criminalisation.

Ongoing detention and widening repression

Delpedro, Muzaffar, Khariq, Syahdan, and Wawan are detained at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Office. Saiful and Shelfin remain in custody at the Kediri City Police in East Java Province, while Paul is held at the East Java Police Office. They are among 959 people formally charged in connection with the protests.

Overall, more than 4,000 people were arbitrarily arrested, over 560 faced intimidation or physical violence—including beatings and rubber-bullet injuries—and more than 300 were harmed by unnecessary tear gas or water cannons. At least 11 people have died since the protests began, yet as of October 6, police were only investigating the death of a motorcycle taxi driver killed when an armoured police vehicle ran him over in Jakarta.

Please take action as soon as possible until December 28, 2025. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.