As the authoritarian regime of Prabowo and Gibran tightens its grip on Indonesia in 2025, dissent has erupted across the nation. What began as a mass wave of protests against corruption, oppression, and systemic violence has turned into an unrelenting campaign of state-sponsored repression. In the streets, solidarity movements bloomed in the wake of a tragic event: the brutal killing of Affan, an online motorcycle driver run over by a Brimob [Mobile Brigade Corps- Special operations, paramilitary, and tactical unit of the Indonesian National Police] armored vehicle during a protest in Jakarta. This act of violence ignited an even greater fire of resistance, yet it also marked the beginning of a systematic crackdown on comrades, journalists, and anyone challenging the regime.
Two comrades from Solo, Rizky Ardiansyah, known as Riky, and Muhammad Rafli Andriansyah, or Kipli, were among the first to fall victim to the regime’s wave of arrests. The two were arrested in November for their involvement in a mass action in August at the Brimob Headquarters, Battalion C Pelopor, Manahan, Solo. They were charged with a range of serious offenses, including alleged property destruction and involvement in creating incendiary devices such as Molotov cocktails, accusations that were heavily inflated and fueled by visual evidence obtained by the police.
But the real story here is not just about the charges. They are a smokescreen, a tool used by the state to criminalize dissent and stifle the growing resistance. Both Riky and Kipli now face trial in Surakarta, with their hearings set for January 2026, but their plight is a reflection of a much larger reality: the state’s war against anyone who dares to oppose it.
The arrest of Riky on November 2, 2025, came well after the protests had died down. The authorities targeted him not because of immediate involvement in any crimes but because he symbolized the broader movement that was challenging the regime. Riky, simply hanging out at Taman Tirtonadi [a nice park which is a meet up spot and skatepark], became a target because he refused to be silenced. The arrest was a clear sign that the state’s repression was not just reactive; it was premeditated and politically motivated.
Similarly, two days after Riky’s arrest, Kipli was taken from his home in the middle of the night, a typical move to instill fear. The police claimed they had visual documentation linking him to the protests, but such flimsy evidence only served to underscore the illegitimacy of the charges brought against both of them.
Riky and Kipli’s families have reported disturbing signs of physical abuse and torture following their arrests. According to family members, the two comrades were subjected to violent beatings with canes and hoses during their detention. Their bodies were left bruised and battered, evidence of the lengths the state will go to in order to crush resistance. These tactics are not anomalies; they are part of a broader strategy by the regime to intimidate, torture, and silence those who refuse to comply.
Such brutality is a reflection of the authoritarian nature of the Prabowo-Gibran government, a government that will stop at nothing to maintain its control, even if it means using violence and terror to quash any opposition.
The case of Riky and Kipli is not a criminal case; it is a political one. This is the regime’s attempt to criminalize the very act of protest and dissent. Their trial is a clear example of how the legal apparatus has been weaponized by the state to protect its own power rather than serve the people. Riky and Kipli are not criminals; they are comrades who dared to speak out against an oppressive system. They are victims of a legal process that is inherently corrupt, repressive, and politically charged.
Their lawyer, Made Ridho, has condemned the irregularities in their trial, noting that there is no coherent evidence linking the comrades to the crimes they are accused of. The charges are vague, the witnesses unreliable, and the prosecution’s arguments increasingly nonsensical. Despite this, the state is determined to see them convicted, not because they are guilty, but because they represent a threat to the established order.
The arrests of Riky and Kipli are just the beginning. They are part of a broader effort by the state to criminalize political dissent and suppress all forms of resistance. But the arrest of two young comrades is not an isolated event. It is part of a larger campaign of repression designed to silence anyone who challenges the authority of the ruling elite.
The state’s message is clear: protest is illegal, dissent is a crime. But the anarchist movement knows better. We know that the fight for freedom is never easy, but it is a fight worth having. The arrest of Riky, Kipli, and others like them is a badge of honor, a testament to their courage in the face of state violence.
In the coming months, the struggle will intensify. We will continue to expose the lies of the state, fight against their oppressive tactics, and stand in solidarity with those who have been wrongfully imprisoned. We will not allow the state to criminalize dissent, and we will not allow them to silence our voices.
The actions of Riky and Kipli were not crimes; they were acts of insurgency against a corrupt and violent system. They are not criminals; they are insurgents, fighters for liberation, autonomy, and freedom. Their trial is not an isolated case; it is a symptom of the larger battle we face against a regime that will stop at nothing to protect its interests.
As long as the state continues to oppress the people, we will continue to resist. And the day will come when the voice of the people will no longer be silenced. This is not just about two comrades; it is about a movement for liberation, for autonomy, and for the dismantling of oppressive hierarchies. We stand with Riky, Kipli, and all those who dare to challenge the oppressive power of the state. Our resistance will not be crushed. Our voices will be heard.
FOR BLACK INTERNATIONAL,
Going Underground/F.A.A.F
*note: these two comrades are not part of F.A.A.F