Two AMPB Activists Botok and Teguh Face Verdict Hearing Today

Two activists from the Aliansi Masyarakat Pati Bersatu (AMPB), Supriyono alias Botok, and Teguh Istiyanto, faced a verdict hearing today, Thursday, 5 March, at the Pati District Court in Central Java.

Teguh and Botok are defendants in a case over blocking the Pantura Pati–Rembang road during a demonstration accompanying the plenary session for the impeachment of Pati Regent Sudewo on 31 October.

In the prosecution’s indictment at the Pati District Court on 20 February, Botok and Teguh were each charged with ten months’ imprisonment.

The Pati City Police (Polresta Pati) deployed 1,349 personnel to secure the hearing. “Seribuan personel tersebut tidak hanya berasal dari jajaran Polresta Pati, tetapi juga didukung personel dari wilayah eks Keresidenan Pati untuk mengamankan jalannya persidangan hari ini (5/3),” he said. Security was not only concentrated at the court location but also at several strategic points across Pati Regency. With the large readiness and support from various parties, Polresta Pati is confident the hearing will proceed smoothly and the legal process can run safely and orderly.

Besides visible security, authorities took preventive steps by increasing patrols and strengthening coordination with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the local government, and community figures to maintain regional security. These measures aim to ensure residents can continue daily activities without disruption by the high-profile hearing.

He said the hearing coincides with Ramadan, so officials urged all members of the public to maintain a peaceful and conducive atmosphere. “We also urge all elements of society to exercise restraint and not be provoked by issues that could trigger conflict. Ramadan is a month of blessings. Let us safeguard a safe, peaceful, and respectful environment so that people can carry out their worship with devotion,” he said.