Acquittal Prompts Delpedro to Demand State Compensation and Restoration of His Good Name
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Director of Lokataru Foundation, Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, has urged the state to compensate material losses incurred by him and three colleagues, Khariq Anhar, Syahdan Husein, and Muzaffar Salim, during the legal process in the case of alleged incitement at the August 2025 demonstrations.
He said the legal proceedings caused them to lose various opportunities, from employment to education, due to being detained for about six months. In addition, they bore the costs of attending the court proceedings.
“We are asking Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and the state, to restore, repair our dignity and good name, and to compensate all the losses we have suffered, including material losses,” Delpedro said after the verdict at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday (6/3/2026).
According to Delpedro, the acquittal of him and his three colleagues is hoped to set a precedent that all political detainees essentially fight for democracy, freedom of expression, and human rights (HAM).
He also called on those deemed political detainees to be released as soon as possible.
In the same occasion, Delpedro referred to the statement by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, regarding the gentlemanly attitude in facing the legal process.
“Today I want to address the Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who when I was first arrested challenged me to face the judiciary as a gentleman, and now we have faced the judiciary and we have been found not guilty and set free,” Delpedro said.
“We are asking Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and the state, to restore, and repair our dignity and good name,” he asserted.
He noted that the designation of suspects is usually based on sufficient initial evidence.
“I think everyone should be a gentleman when facing a legal process; if, for example, the authorities accuse someone of a crime, and there is sufficient initial evidence according to law enforcement authorities,” said Yusril at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on 4 September 2025.
He added that suspects can utilise the assistance of lawyers to challenge the investigators’ allegations.
“So, because they have already been declared suspects, there is of course a procedure; if merely to suspend detention, for instance, that can be done. Anyone who is a suspect can have detention suspended,” he added.
In the legal process, he continued, investigations and prosecutions must still be carried out by law enforcement authorities.
“So indeed investigations and prosecutions must continue, and I think they should be accompanied by competent lawyers, LBH, and others, so that governance proceeds fairly and justly,” he said.