Delpedro Freed; Yusril: Reputation Has Been Restored, Damages Claim Should Be Filed via Pre-Trial

Indonesia has suspended discussions on the Peace Council issue. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Public Security (Menko Kumham Imipas), Yusril Ihza Mahendra, asserted that rehabilitation rights for activist Delpedro Marhaen and others have been automatically fulfilled through the verdict of the North Jakarta District Court. Regarding material damages, Yusril advised that the government, police, or prosecutors cannot directly provide compensation administratively. Based on Articles 173 to 177 of KUHAP Baru, the procedure must go through a court decision. Yusril invites Delpedro to file a compensation claim via the pretrial route in PN Jakarta Pusat. In his view, this step could set a historical precedent in the enforcement of law in Indonesia. “If Delpedro files a pretrial to demand damages, he may become the first person to utilise the mechanism under KUHAP Baru. This could become an important jurisprudence for handling similar cases in the future,” he explained. Additionally, Yusril praised Delpedro’s courage to face the trial process to prove his innocence. “Earlier I urged him not to whine when arrested and to defend himself in a gentlemanly manner in court. He did so and was proven free,” said Yusril. Moreover, Yusril assessed that the acquittal of Delpedro and his colleagues stands as a serious note on the performance of law enforcement authorities. He reminded police and prosecutors to exercise greater caution in making arrests and detentions if initial evidence is not strong. “Authorities should reconsider if the evidence is not strong. For if a defendant is acquitted, the state bears the obligation to rehabilitate and compensate for the suffering caused by the legal process,” he asserted. Earlier, Delpedro sent an open message to Yusril Ihza Mahendra. He demanded that the state rehabilitate his good name and compensate all material losses incurred during the legal process. Delpedro described systemic impacts of criminalisation, including job loss, halting studies, and financial burdens for court proceedings. “We were imprisoned for six months for an act that was later deemed not guilty. We call on the state to restore our dignity and compensate all material losses we have suffered,” he said. Earlier, Minister Yusril expressed deep condolences on the death of the sixth Vice President Try Sutrisno. He described the tragedy in Tual as something truly inhumane and damaging to the reform spirit that is currently underway. Minister for Law, Human Rights, and Security Yusril condemned the alleged assault on a student in Tual by Brimob officers and called for the perpetrators to be prosecuted and punished with firm sanctions. Yusril Ihza Mahendra revealed that there are 54 foreign nationals from Iran who are involved in legal cases in Indonesia, 12 of whom have been sentenced to death. Yusril said the case known as es gabus involving law enforcement falls within the discussion of the police’s authority.