Attorney General's Office Reviews Next Steps After Tian Bahtiar and Colleagues Cleared
The Attorney General’s Office ( AGO ) is determining its next steps after three defendants in cases of alleged obstruction of law enforcement in three corruption-related investigations were acquitted: Tian Bahtiar, Adhiya Muzakki, and Junaedi Saibih.
“We will review and study to determine how to proceed legally,” said Riono Budisantoso, Director of Prosecution at the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes ( Jampidsus ), in Jakarta on Wednesday (4 March).
Regarding whether the AGO will file a cassation (appeal) against the acquittal of the three defendants, Riono replied, “We will continue to strive to uphold justice whenever possible.”
It is reported that the three defendants in the obstruction of investigations into corruption were acquitted in the verdict-reading at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta District Court, in the early hours of Wednesday.
They are former JakTV chief executive Tian Bahtiar, activist or head of the “buzzer” team Adhiya Muzakki, and lawyer Junaedi Saibih.
The three obstruction of investigations into corruption cases referred to relate to tin commodity governance, crude palm oil (CPO) export, and sugar importation handled by the AGO.
In the verdict-reading last night, Chief Judge Effendi stressed that there was no malicious intent or unlawful conduct in Tian’s actions in the case.
The panel judged that Tian was merely carrying out his journalistic duties by producing the reporting. If the reporting was deemed negative, the Chief Judge said, it was a matter of perspective or viewpoint and not a truth that could be measured by criminal law.
As for Adhiya’s actions, the panel of judges argued that the social media post could not be regarded as malicious intent because Adhiya acted only after obtaining approval from advocate Marcella Santoso.
Thus, if further proof is needed, it could be addressed in a general criminal trial, not under corruption law.
Regarding Junaedi, the Chief Judge stated that organising a seminar, even with a negative narrative, was part of a non-litigation defence outside the courtroom.
“As long as it is done in accordance with applicable regulations, it is not part of conduct that has the nature of wrongdoing,” the Chief Judge said.
Moreover, the judge added, Junaedi had been shown to have never known, approved, or participated in producing articles that were negative toward the Attorney General’s Office, whether in mainstream media or on social media, as charged by prosecutors.
Previously, Tian and Adhiya were accused by prosecutors of eight years’ imprisonment, while Junaedi faced ten years in prison.