QUICK and unusually lenient judgments are expected from the Medan Public Court, where a mass trial begins tomorrow for scores of men accused of participating in riots that swept through Sumatra's largest city in April.
The trials have attracted international attention, not only from human rights organisations but also labour officials.
Observers say the proceedings are likely to influence critical Indonesian trade negotiations with the United States.
Lembaga Bantuan Hukum, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, has assigned more than 30 lawyers to the defence team.
A foundation spokesman disputed government reports of more than 80 defendants, saying 64 people, including labour leaders, were charged with crimes.
US officials in Jakarta told the Sunday Morning Post the Indonesian authorities had shown extreme restraint following the aftermath of worker protests in mid-April.
A Chinese factory owner was beaten to death and dozens of shops owned by Chinese were targeted during the unrest.