Botok Pati Verdict and March 2026 Update on Regent Sudewo Corruption Case
Two figures, activist Supriyono, alias Botok Pati, and the former Regent Sudewo, are now facing starkly contrasting legal realities. The Sudewo case has drawn national attention for involving issues such as taxpayers’ burdens, a blockade of a national road, and a Commission for the Eradication of Corruption (KPK) arrest operation (OTT).
Tensions began at the end of 2025 when Pati Regency, under Sudewo’s leadership, announced a drastic increase in Land and Building Tax (PBB), rising by 250% to 300% in several areas. The policy sparked protests from farmers and ordinary people.
Botok Pati, as coordinator of the Alliance of United Pati Community (AMPB), mobilised crowds to demand cancelation of the tax hike. However, the protest culminated in the blockade of the Pantura Pati-Rembang road, causing total gridlock for almost 15 hours. This provided the police with grounds to charge Botok as a suspect for obstructing a public road.
In a trial held at Pati District Court on 5 March 2026, the panel of judges found Supriyono, alias Botok Pati, proven beyond reasonable doubt to have violated public order regulations. Yet the judge issued a verdict regarded as a ‘moral victory’ for the activists.
The judge sentenced him to six months in prison with a ten-month probation. Under this ruling, Botok Pati could return home and would not be imprisoned, provided that in the next ten months he does not commit any unlawful acts.
In stark contrast to Botok Pati’s fate, the non-active Regent Sudewo now finds himself in a very difficult position. Since being named a suspect by the KPK in January 2026, new facts have begun to emerge publicly.
Sudewo is suspected of involvement in the practice of selling village official positions in Pati Regency, with bribes amounting to billions of rupiah. In addition, KPK investigators are examining Sudewo’s links in a bribery case at the Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transport, which is an extension of an older case when he was a member of the House of Representatives (DPR).
Supriyono, commonly known as Botok, is a local activist in Pati who is known for vocally criticising local government policies perceived as anti-people.
After Sudewo was suspended by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the leadership of Pati Regency is now in the hands of Vice Regent Risma Ardhi Chandra as Acting Regent to keep the administration running.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (JPU) still has time to appeal the probation verdict. However, Botok’s supporters hope the prosecutors will not appeal for the sake of regional stability.
(H-4) Read the full review of the Botok Pati case (Supriyono) relating to the move to impeach Regent Sudewo up to the supervisory criminal verdict in March 2026.
Riyoso is considered a key figure because he holds a strategic post and has played a central role in Sudewo’s administration since 2025.
KPK has questioned 14 witnesses in the extortion case that implicated Sudewo. Investigators are examining the transfer of money via a village head coordinator.
Pati corruption, Regent Sudewo, extortion in Pati regent case, Pati Village Officials, KPK, Sunarwi, Syaiful Arifin, OTT Pati.
Non-active Regent Sudewo, together with his family, is suspected of interfering in the recruitment of village officials.
Simak ulasan lengkap kasus Botok Pati (Supriyono) terkait aksi pemakzulan Bupati Sudewo hingga vonis pidana pengawasan pada Maret 2026.