Delpedro and Others' Remarks After Acquittal in Riot Incitement Case

Executive Director of Lokataru, Delpedro Marhaen, admin @gejayanmemanggil Syahdan Husein, Lokataru Foundation staff Muzaffar, and Universitas Riau student Khariq Anhar were acquitted in the case of alleged incitement. Delpedro said the acquittal is a victory for all Indonesians. ‘This victory, this acquittal is not only for the four of us, not only for political detainees in Jakarta, but for all political prisoners and Indonesians out there,’ he said after the hearing at the North Jakarta District Court on Friday (6 March 2026). He hoped the judges in other cases would apply similar considerations. ‘We hope all judges who are handling similar cases of political detainees, in East Java, West Java, Central Java and other regions, will use jurisprudence or considerations that are as wise and prudent,’ said Delpedro. ‘We would like to thank the panel of judges for applying the principles of human rights, democracy, freedom of expression in their decision. We appreciate the courage, wisdom and policy of the panel.’ He hopes the public prosecutors will not appeal or file cassation. ‘We also hope the JPU will not appeal or file cassation, and so on; we hope there will be no further legal proceedings,’ Delpedro said. ‘We hope this becomes the final decision and accepted as a ruling that preserves democracy, freedom of expression,’ he added. Additionally, Delpedro asked Menko Kumham Imipas, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, to reimburse all losses suffered during the trial. He said he had been detained for six months in the case. ‘At the same time we also ask Yusril Ihza Mahendra and the state to restore our dignity and rectify our standing, compensate material losses, because we could not work, could not continue studies, and had to pay for legal costs,’ he said. Syahdan also praised the acquittal. He invited court attendees to clap for the verdict. ‘We are very grateful to the judge who freed us from four charges in which we were not guilty of the offences,’ said Syahdan. Muzaffar said the acquittal was not possible without public oversight. He said the history that desires freedom. ‘Not to forget this victory because of you, because there is public oversight. This victory we dedicate to the younger generation, to pupils, to students, not us who want to be free but history that wants us free. History that wants us free from any crimes charged by the prosecutors,’ he said. Khariq expressed gratitude that he could resume his studies after being acquitted. ‘I am relieved to be able to continue my studies after being acquitted. Alhamdulillah,’ said Khariq. ‘I want to tell young people not to be afraid, because those who are afraid now are the rulers. They are weak, they arrest wantonly, and when tried we can be acquitted. So fight,’ he added. The verdict hearing for Delpedro and the others was held at the Jakarta Pusat District Court today. The judge acquitted them of all charges brought by the Prosecution. ‘Having examined, the panel found Defendant 1 Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, Defendant 2 Muzaffar Salim, Defendant 3 Syahdan Husein, and Defendant 4 Khariq Anhar as above, not guilty of the offences charged in the second, third and fourth alternative counts of the Prosecution,’ read Chief Presiding Judge Harika Nova Yeri as she delivered the verdict. ‘Consequently, the defendants are acquitted of all charges by the Prosecution,’ the judge added. The judge ordered restoration of the defendants’ rights to their standing and dignity. The judge ordered that Delpedro and the others be released from remand in custody following the ruling. ‘Restore the defendants’ rights to their capacity, standing, dignity and honour,’ the judge said.