Behind the Execution of Freddy Budiman, Police Forensic Doctor Reveals Shocking Facts

Freddy Budiman was executed on 29 July 2016 at the Nusakambangan Correctional Facility in Cilacap, Central Java. He was sentenced to death after being proven to have smuggled approximately 1.4 million ecstasy pills from China in May 2012.

Brigadier General Sumy Hastry Purwanti, a forensic doctor and Head of the Forensic Laboratory at the Indonesian National Police’s Medical and Health Centre, revealed her experience as part of the medical team during the implementation of the death penalty in Indonesia. She explained that one of the most memorable executions was that of Freddy Budiman alongside two foreign nationals in Nusakambangan.

During a discussion on the Kick Andy Show YouTube channel, host Andy F. Noya touched upon the death penalty methods applied in Indonesia. He noted that the public is more familiar with execution by firing squad compared to other methods such as the electric chair, hanging, or lethal injection.

Andy then elaborated on a common public perception. He stated that people often imagine the firing squad uses blank cartridges so the shooters do not feel guilty, with only one live round, leaving the actual executioner unknown.

Responding to this, Dr Sumy Hastry confirmed she had been assigned as a doctor for executions while serving in Central Java. She acknowledged the professional dilemma, stating that as a doctor her duty is to save lives and witness life, yet she was required to witness death. Despite this conflict, she carried out the task as part of her obligations as a member of the Indonesian National Police.