Three Mining Truck Barrier Farmers In Banyuwangi Sentenced To 3 Months In Prison

Verdict of three farmers blocking a mine truck in PN Banyuwangi/Photo: Reza M

BANYUWANGI - Three defendants in the case of blocking the excavation truck C were sentenced to 3 months in prison. The judges knocked the verdict at the Banyuwangi District Court.

The three farmers, namely Ahmad Busiin, H. Sugianto, and Abdullah, were sentenced to three months in prison in the verdict of the panel of judges chaired by Agus Pancara.

"On trial, one declared the defendant legally proven and convicted of committing a criminal act of obstructing or interfering with the mining business activities of IUP or IUPK holders who had met the requirements as stated in the single indictment," said Agus Pancara, Thursday, May 27.

"Sentenced the defendants to imprisonment for three months each," said the judge reading the verdict.

When the farmers acted, carrying banners against the residents, they were driven by trucks carrying C-quarried mining products. Trucks that were passing were also bulldozed.

Tedjo Rifa'i, the defendant's attorney from LPBH PCNU Banyuwangi, said that his party was still thinking about the judge's verdict. Previously, the three defendants were charged by the public prosecutor with 6 months in prison.

"We respect the judge's decision, although we are disappointed in his consideration that he did not consider the legal aspects of the environment at all. That is what we regret," he said.

The cases that befell the three defendants stems from their reporting of the actions they took together with a number of residents in 2018.

The action of blocking the truck carrying the excavated material C was carried out by the residents on the grounds of saving the environment and their residence from the negative impact that was caused by the C mining mine.

The three of them were named as suspects in early 2020. The inaugural trial was held on January 4, 2021.

The three defendants were found guilty of violating Article 162 of Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining.