Amsal Sitepu Was Afraid Despite Acquittal Verdict, Worried Prosecutors Might Appeal

JAKARTA - Fear apparently gripped videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu, even after he was acquitted by the panel of judges in the case of marking up a village profile video production project.

Amsal Sitepu said that he and his family were worried that the prosecutors would file an appeal or cassation against the acquittal verdict.

“Last night, regarding this appeal, it was still a topic of discussion among us, ‘what if they appeal?’ There was still worry and fear for us, for me, my wife, my entire family,” Amsal stated during a press conference at the DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday night (2/4/2026).

Nevertheless, the stance of the DPR’s Commission III brought relief to Amsal.

“But today, the fighters of Indonesia’s creative economy have won. Independent,” he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Amsal admitted he could not stop thanking the members of parliament who had defended him, leading to his eventual freedom.

Previously, the Chairman of the DPR’s Commission III, Habiburokhman, emphasised that the acquittal decision for Amsal Sitepu cannot be subjected to legal remedies, either appeal or cassation.

“The DPR’s Commission III RI affirms that in handling the case of Mr Amsal Christy Sitepu, in accordance with the spirit of the new KUHAP provisions, no legal remedies—whether appeal or cassation—can be taken against an acquittal decision,” said Habiburokhman.

In response, the Head of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office, Harli Siregar, stated that the Commission III’s recommendation would be conveyed to the leadership in a stepwise manner.

“Yes, that’s the recommendation; we will convey it to the leadership. We will pass it on stepwise. And of course, it will receive our intense attention,” Harli said at the DPR RI Building.