Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) — The trial of 12 men charged in a deadly attack against

a minority Muslim sect began Tuesday under heavy security in West Java.
“We deployed about 1,095 personnel,” said Senior Commissioner Budiarto, the operatio
ns head of the police department in Banten province. Two water cannons and three
armored vehicles were also on standby.
Budiarto, like many in Indonesia, go by one name.
Hundreds of people, mostly students from nearby Islamic boarding schools, prayed
and chanted outside the courthouse in support of the defendants.
The men are on trial for a February 6 incident in which a mob of about 1,000 peo
ple, wielding knives and stones, attacked about 25 members of the Muslim minorit
y sect, Ahmadiyah, in Cikeusik village in the province. Three people were killed
and six others injured.
The crowd opposed the presence of the Ahmadiyah in the village and demanded the
group stop its activities.
Amateur video of the incident obtained by Human Rights Watch showed people pumme
ling what looked like lifeless bodies with sticks and rocks. The video has been
posted on the Internet, fueling public outrage.
In a televised statement, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemne
d the violence against Ahmadiyah and ordered a thorough investigation.
Human rights activists, however, have called on the government to revoke a minis
terial decree issued in 2008 that bans the community’s religious activities.
Many Muslims consider the Ahmadiyah a deviation from the orthodox Islamic faith.
Followers of Ahmadiyah believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the religious
movement in India, was Islam’s last prophet. Orthodox Muslims say Mohammed was the
last prophet.
The Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy, a local think tank, noted in a rec
ent report a marked increase in the number of attacks against Ahmadiyah and othe
r minority religions in Indonesia in recent years.
The most populous Muslim country in the world, Indonesia has previously been tou
ted as an example of tolerance and democracy in the Islamic world.
But a 2009 study from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in Washington sugg
ested it was actually among the most restrictive countries when it comes to reli
gion.
Last week, Human Rights Watch issued a statement, urging authorities to ensure p
roper security at the trial.
“For the Cikeusik trial to be a step toward ending religious violence in Indonesia
, the police need to ensure the security of everyone in the courtroom,” said Elain
e Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
“Witnesses brave enough to testify, as well as judges and prosecutors, should not
have to face intimidation.”