Pieter, Alexander and Benjamin, pro-independence political activists from Molucca, have been arbitrarily arrested and charged with treason for their role in keeping a Republic of South Maluku (RMS) flag “Benang Raja” in a private house. Charged with treason “makar”, they face up to 20 years of imprisonment. The Indonesian authorities have used the criminal code provisions, mainly Articles 106 and 110 KUHP, to prosecute tens of peaceful pro-independence political activists in Maluku and Papua simply for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
