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Justin Bieber was just indicted for allegedly ordering a beatdown on a photog in Argentina and then stealing his money and gear.

A judge in Buenos Aires just dropped the hammer against the pop star for the 2013 incident.

Bieber has maintained all along this case is a bunch of nothing and the judge is a lone wolf who has been out to get him. Until the case is resolved, Bieber cannot return to Argentina, because he'll be arrested.

Our sources say Bieber has a plan. His lawyers will appeal the indictment, hoping that the appeals court judges will see the indictment for what it is -- a publicity grab by the judge -- and throw the case out.