REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- The district court of Surabaya, East Java, has sentenced village Head Hariyono and Mat Dasir to 20 years in jail each, in connection with the murder of environmental activist Salim Kancil.

Hariyono, the village head of Selok Awar Awar in the Lumajang District of East Java, was proven guilty for the premeditated murder of Salim Kancil, Chief Judge Jihad Arkhanuddin said while reading the verdict here on Thursday.

Mat Dasir, meanwhile, was proven guilty of violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code that resulted in Tosan suffering from serious injuries.

In response to the verdict the two accused said they needed to think whether or not they would appeal the court?s decision.

The case emerged after two activists?Salim Kancil and Tosan?had rejected sand mining activities in Watu Pecak?s coastal area in the sub-district of Pasirian, Lumajang.

Due to their rejection, dozens of villages had turned against them in the village hall on September 26, 2015, ultimately leading to the death of Salim Kancil and seriously injuring Tosan.

Naimullah from the local prosecutor's office said the prosecutor was also considering whether or not to appeal the verdict.

"We will report the verdict to our superior. We still have seven days to take a decision," he said.

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