Acquittal for Delpedro Cs Momentum Ends Authoritarian Practices
The Central Jakarta District Court’s panel of judges on Friday delivered a not-guilty verdict for four activists—Delpedro Marhaen, Muzaffar Salim, Syahdan Husein, and Khariq Anhar—clearing them of all charges linked to the mass demonstrations that took place in August 2025. The court quashed the prosecutor’s bid for a two-year prison term. In its ruling, the panel stated that the entire indictment failed to prove the alleged offences beyond reasonable doubt, which included incitement, hateful speech with SARA elements, dissemination of false information, and accusations of child exploitation.
Speaking through the decision, the court emphasised that in a constitutional democracy criminal law should not be used to intervene in political differences or public aspirations, unless there is a proven criminal act.
Usman Hamid, director of Amnesty International Indonesia, welcomed the verdict, calling it a turning point in protecting citizens’ constitutional rights. “This acquittal offers new hope. It is not just a victory in the courtroom; it should become a moment for the state to guarantee robust protection of the right to assemble and express peacefully,” he said in a statement on Friday.
He argued the case demonstrated tendencies by the state to use legal instruments to silence youth voices rather than address the policies under dispute.
Earlier, at the first hearing on 16 December 2025, the prosecutors charged Delpedro and others under heavy provisions, including Article 246 in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the New Indonesian Penal Code on incitement, the Electronic Information and Transactions Act, and the Child Protection Act. However, the testimony showed the evidence was insufficient to meet the elements of a crime. With this verdict, the dignity and rights of the four activists should be restored by the state.
Usman urged the government to use this momentum to halt all criminalisation of civilians in various regions. “The state must guarantee freedom of expression for its people without the shadow of bars,” he said.
Although Amnesty welcomed the Jakarta verdict, it warned that several other individuals face similar legal proceedings after the August 2025 actions:
Amnesty noted that other activists faced similar haggling processes post August 2025 actions: Delpedro Marhaen was acquitted by PN Jakpus. He called on the state to restore his name and compensate after six months’ imprisonment related to the August 2025 demonstrations. The acquittal for him and the three other defendants is not only for them or political detainees in Jakarta but for all Indonesian political prisoners nationwide. The judge’s chair added that, in particular, posts on social media regarding the chronology or the causes behind the death of ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan had been cited.
Lawyer Muhamad Kerry Adrianto Riza accused the prosecutors of deliberately failing to examine and present Irawan Prakoso in a trial over alleged mismanagement of crude oil.
Chair of Judges’ Supervisory and Investigations KY Joko Sasmito said he had asked the Waskim Team to study and monitor developments in the appellate decision.
Chair of YLBHI welcomed the Central Jakarta District Court’s decision to acquit four activists, including Delpedro Marhaen.
Delpedro Marhaen waved the Iranian flag at PN Jakpus, and called for President Prabowo to resign from the Board of Peace (BoP) during the incitement case verdict.