East Nusa Tenggara, September 2025 — Rudolfus Oktavianus Ruma was found dead with his neck tied in a bamboo hut on Sikusima Beach, Nangaroro District, Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on September 5, 2025. Vian, as he was commonly known, had been active in the Coalition of Young People for Climate Change (KOPI) and was known for his vocal opposition to the geothermal power plant project in Flores. His opposition was based on the consideration that the project would damage the environment and take away the rights of the local indigenous community to their customary land.

Central Sulawesi, June 2025 — The Poso District Court convicted five residents of Topogaro and Tondo villages, West Bungku Subdistrict, Morowali Regency, of committing unlawful acts by blocking access to vehicles belonging to the nickel company PT Baoshuo Taman Industry Investment Group (PT BTIIG) via agricultural and irrigation roads in their village. PT BTIIG is the company managing the Indonesian Huabao Industrial Park (IHIP) nickel industrial area. The panel of judges ruled that the road blockade disrupted the company's traffic, even though the roads were not main roads and were agricultural and livestock areas belonging to the residents, as well as containing various sacred sites for the local population.

Bogor, July 2025 — PT Kalimantan Lestari Mandiri (PT KLM) has sued two environmental experts from IPB, Prof. Bambang Hero Saharjo and Prof. Basuki Wasis, at the Cibinong District Court for their testimony in the 2018 land fire case. The civil lawsuit is seeking damages of Rp 364 billion, consisting of Rp 273.98 billion in material losses and Rp 90.68 billion in immaterial losses. This case has attracted widespread attention because it is seen as a form of retaliation by the company against experts who provided scientific testimony in court, while also threatening academic freedom and the role of experts in environmental law enforcement.

East Halmahera, May 2025 — A total of 27 residents of Maba Sangaji, East Halmahera Regency, were arrested by the North Maluku Regional Police while staging a protest demanding accountability from PT Position for the forced seizure of customary land for nickel mining. Of these, 11 people were named as suspects on charges of carrying sharp weapons and obstructing company activities. However, legal representatives and community leaders view these arrests as a form of criminalization of the indigenous community's struggle and a way for the state to silence the aspirations of the people who reject the seizure of their customary lands.

Central Halmahera, April 2025 — Repressive actions by the authorities have once again targeted communities that oppose mining, this time affecting residents of Wayamli and Yawanli villages, Maba Tengah subdistrict, Central Halmahera regency, during a demonstration demanding the cessation of mining activities by PT STS. During the demonstration, residents demanded the revocation of mining permits, the restoration of indigenous peoples' and environmental rights, and accountability for the eviction of their coconut plantations in Memeli Hamlet, Pekaulang Village. However, instead of dialogue, dozens of East Halmahera Police personnel and 20-30 Brimob members were deployed to disperse the crowd. At around 4:00 p.m. WIT, after verbal altercations and shoving, Brimob officers fired tear gas 10 times without warning directly at the crowd, injuring a number of people. Among the victims were Mulyadi Palangi, who was hit by three shots in the shoulder and upper arm, Riski Boway in the leg, and Sulandra Asri in the fingers. This repressive action not only caused physical injuries but also psychological trauma, especially for the women and children who participated in the demonstration.

Sikka, March 2025 — John Bala, legal counsel for 15 indigenous people from Nangahale Village, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, was reported to the NTT Regional Police Criminal Investigation Unit by Ephivanus Markus Nale Rimo, legal representative of PT Kristus Raja Maumere (PT Krisrama), on charges of land grabbing. This report came after eight members of the Soge Natarmage–Goban Runut tribe were previously sentenced to 10 months in prison in a customary land dispute with the company, which claims the land belongs to the Diocese of Maumere. This incident is seen as a form of continued criminalization that weakens the indigenous community's struggle to defend their customary land, which they claim has been seized for a long time, while also showing the police's bias towards the company rather than protecting the rights of the community.

North Marowali, March 2025 — Officers from the Mori Atas Police Station and Mobile Brigade, together with public relations and security personnel from PT Sinergi Perkebunan Nusantara (SPN), forcibly arrested Adhar Ompo alias Olong, a farmer from Peleru Village, while he was harvesting palm oil on land that he had been managing since 1990. The company claims that the land is part of the former PTPN XIV concession, while Olong insists that it is his own property, giving rise to an agrarian dispute that has remained unresolved since 2015. The arrest was carried out violently, with Olong being beaten, handcuffed without a warrant, and having his cell phone confiscated before being taken to the North Morowali Police Station. This incident drew criticism as it was seen as a form of criminalization of farmers and reflected the weak protection of the people when the authorities sided with the company.

Manggarai, March 2025 — Five Manggarai indigenous youths, namely Kriatianus Jaret, Maksimilianus Neter, Servasius Masyudi Onggal, Anus Sundur, and Ferdianus Parles, were reported by the Manggarai Regency Government to the police on charges of damaging the regent's office gate during a peaceful demonstration against the Ulumbu Geothermal Project. However, according to residents, the damage to the gate was caused by the police pushing the protesters, not by the protesters themselves. This case has drawn criticism from the community, who view the report as an attempt to criminalize and manipulate the law to silence criticism of a project that is considered a threat to the environment and the livelihoods of indigenous peoples.

Bandar Lampung, April 2025 — For two consecutive days, residents of Bandar Lampung staged a protest in front of the Mayor's Office to demand a solution to the flooding that continues to inundate their neighborhoods. The peaceful demonstration, led by Wahyu as the residents' spokesperson, was originally intended to urge the local government to take concrete action, rather than just symbolic visits and distributing packaged rice during media coverage. However, instead of answers or solutions, residents were met with repressive actions by Satpol PP officers who dispersed the demonstration with violence. This incident not only caused physical injuries to the participants, but also violated the principles of democracy and the constitutional rights of the people to express their opinions in public, while the local government was deemed to have failed to show its support for the people affected by the flooding.

Banten, In February 2025, 15 residents of Kampung Cibetus, Padarincang, Serang, Banten, were arrested by the police after being reported by PT Sinar Ternak Sejahtera (according to AHU data, the company is owned by Sumet Jiaravanon, Thailand's richest conglomerate). The report was related to the alleged destruction of livestock facilities on November 24, 2024, which was triggered by residents' anger over the environmental and health impacts of the business's activities. However, instead of getting justice for the issues they faced, the residents were charged with a crime, causing this arrest to attract public attention as an alleged criminalization of the residents of Cibetus.

Rempang, In January 2025, three residents of Rempang Island -Siti Hawa (67), Sani Rio (37), and Abu Bakar (54)- were named as suspects by the police in connection with clashes between residents who rejected the Rempang Eco-City national strategic project and the security team of PT Makmur Elok Graha (MEG) on December 17-18, 2024, in Sembulang Hulu. The clash began with the destruction of leaflets and posters rejecting the project, which then led to attacks that resulted in injuries. However, instead of taking action against the perpetrators of the attacks, the police named the residents as suspects, which then sparked public attention to the alleged criminalization of residents in the Rempang case.

Bangka Belitung, In January 2025, environmental expert Bambang Hero Sahardjo reported to the police by The Chairman of The Regional Representative Board (DPD) of Putra Puri Tempatan Bangka Belitung. The report relates to Bambang's testimony in the alleged corruption case at PT Timah mining. At the request of the Attorney General's Office, Bambang calculated state losses due to environmental damage in Bangka Belitung at Rp271 trillion. Andi questioned this result, accusing Bambang of providing false testimony as stipulated in Article 242 of the Criminal Code. This case has attracted public attention because it is considered a form of criminalization of environmental defenders who are protected by law.

East Kutai, 27-2-2021—Three Modang Long Wai Dayak customary community figures were arrested at their homes by officers of the East Kutai District Police. The arrests followed the community’s peaceful protest against oil palm plantation company PT Subur Abadi Wana Agung, a Tri Putra Group subsidiary, on 30 January 2021.

Toba, 18 May 2021—More than a dozen members of the indigenous Natumingka customary community in Toba district, North Sumatra suffered injuries in clashes with workers from PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL). Fighting broke out over the company forcedly planting eucalypts in an area the community maintains as customary land.

Banyuwangi, 27 May 2021—Three residents of Alasbuluh village, Wingsero subdistrict, Banyuwangi were sentenced to 3 months imprisonment by the Banyuwangi District Court for obstructing the PT Rolas Nusa Tambang. Together with hundreds of villagers, they oppose the mining company’s environmental destruction in their village.

Purworejo, 26-7-2021-- Purworejo District Police summonsed three environmental defenders from Wadas on 26 July 2021. The three villagers were called to provide statements relating to allegations of threatening behaviour with sharp weapons in a plantation in Wadas village, Bener subdistrict, Purworejo district on 14 July 2021.

West Sumatra, August 2023—Residents of Air Bangis Village in West Pasaman Regency rejected infrastructure development for a National Strategic Project or Proyek Strategis Nasional (PSN) in their management region. Around 1,500 villagers demonstrated, but while taking time out to pray, scores of villagers were suppressed and arrested by the police.

West Kalimantan, Aug 2023—On discovering pulpwood company PT Mayawana Persada clearing their sacred forest, customary community members from Simpang Hulu, Ketapang Regency seized ignition keys from company bulldozers carrying out operations and handed them to the local police. West Kalimantan police responded by charging 3 community figures on suspicion of destroying seedlings belonging to Mayawana.

Riau Archipelago, Sept 2023— Police have arrested 43 people from Galang and Rempang, 34 of whom have been made suspects following villagers’ refusal to accept their ancestral land being used for the Rempang Eco City National Strategic Project. The arrests were made as villagers tried to stop military and police personnel forcing their way onto the site to secure Eco City boundary marker installation.

East Kalimantan, February 2024 — Nine farmers from Saloloang were arrested for allegedly obstructing construction equipment and carrying machetes while protesting the planned IKN airport. The arrests mark the first detentions linked to resistance against the national strategic project in the new capital area. The farmers were defending their land from expropriation.

East Java, March 2024 — Thirty farmers in Pakel Village were beaten by hired thugs allegedly working for PT Bumi Sari Maju Sukses. The attackers had earlier damaged farmers' huts and crops. Despite previous reports of intimidation and threats, no police action had been taken prior to this violence.

North Sumatra, March 2024 — Sorbatua Siallagan, the customary leader of Dolok Parmonangan, was arrested without a warrant while shopping for fertilizer with his wife. He was detained on suspicion of illegal forest occupation, amid an ongoing land dispute with PT Toba Pulp Lestari.

North Sumatra, April 2024 — Ilham Mahmudi, Syafii, and Taupik were arrested without a warrant after dismantling an illegal structure in a protected mangrove area in Kwala Langkap Village. Their actions were part of a protest against illegal oil palm expansion, but police charged them with property damage.

Bogor, January 10, 2024 — Prof. Dr. Bambang Hero Saharjo, a forestry fire expert, was sued by PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa after testifying as an expert witness for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The lawsuit, viewed as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), was seen as an attempt to silence scientific testimony. The company later withdrew the lawsuit on January 17.

North Sumatra, May 2024 — Gustina Salim Rambe and five others were arrested by Labuhanbatu police for blocking trucks belonging to PT Pulo Padang Sawit Permai (PPSP). While five were released, Gustina—commonly known as Tina—was detained and later convicted of assaulting a police officer. She was sentenced to five months and 21 days in prison.

East Java, June 2024 — Muhriyono, a resident of Krajan Hamlet in Pakel Village, Banyuwangi, was forcibly taken by unidentified individuals on June 9. His whereabouts were unknown until the next day when he was found at the local police station. He was charged with assaulting a security guard from PT Bumi Sari Maju Sukses, although locals claim it was the company that initiated the threats and land seizure.

North Sumatra, July 2024 — Tomson Ambarita and six others were abducted at around 3 a.m. by unidentified individuals who handcuffed and forced them into a truck believed to belong to PT Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL). The victims, all members of the Lamtoras Sihaporas Indigenous Community, have long resisted land-grabbing by TPL. Their resistance has been met with intimidation, threats, and criminalization.

South Kalimantan, July 2024 — Arbaini, also known as Abah Nateh, was found dead with 11 stab wounds. A prominent environmental activist, he had been vocal against PT Mantimin Coal Mining’s operations in the Meratus Mountains since 2017. He frequently faced threats and intimidation. Police say he was fatally stabbed by a man identified as Irwansyah alias Kai Ibus on July 24 at 8 a.m., allegedly out of personal resentment.

Central Sulawesi, August 2024 — Five residents of Anumbu Village, Bungku Barat subdistrict, Morowali Regency, are facing legal intimidation after protesting the seizure of an agricultural access road by PT Indonesia Huabao Industrial Park (IHIP) on June 15. In addition to a civil lawsuit worth IDR 14 billion, they are also under police investigation for alleged violations of the Road Law. The protest was triggered by fears over environmental impacts and loss of access to farmland. Those named in the case include Rahman Landanu, Safaat, Imran S. Lasandra, Suriyon Hamid, and Hamdan

NTT, October 2024 — The government and state electricity firm PLN are pressing ahead with plans to expand the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) into Poco Leok. This time, a joint security force—comprising the military (TNI), police, and municipal officers—was deployed to secure the project site. Excessive use of force led to the intimidation, assault, and arrest of residents opposing the project. At least three locals and one journalist were detained and taken to the local police station.

South Kalimantan, April 2024 — Sumardi, a 63-year-old farmer, was charged with criminal threats by PT Merge Mining Industry (MMI) after his 3,000 cassava plants and 47 banana trees were destroyed during land clearing. When he demanded accountability, an argument ensued. Instead of compensation, Sumardi was reported to the police and later convicted. On November 20, he was sentenced to three months in prison.