Delpedro Marhaen Calls for Release of All Political Prisoners in Indonesia

Activist Delpedro Marhaen has urged the release of all political prisoners (tapol) in Indonesia after he was officially acquitted by the Panel of Judges of the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday, 6 March 2026. Delpedro stressed that the victory he achieved should become a gateway to freedom for other activists still behind bars. ‘We hope this sets a precedent. Political prisoners, in essence, are those who fight for democracy, freedom of expression, and human rights. Therefore, they must be released immediately,’ Delpedro said at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday. Delpedro reminded that the struggle is not over while there are civilians criminalised for their critical voices. He noted that the court’s ruling in Central Jakarta could serve as a moral and legal reference for judges in other regions handling similar cases. ‘Imagine that injustice is at work; how about other political prisoners? This victory is not only for the four of us, but for all Indonesians out there who are still awaiting justice,’ he added. In addition to urging the release of his fellow activists, Delpedro also sent an open message to the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of Indonesia, Yusril Ihza Mahendra. He urged the state to rehabilitate and compensate all material losses incurred during the legal process. Delpedro outlined the systemic impact of the criminalisation he experienced, from losing employment, interruptions to university studies, to the financial burden of the trial. ‘We were imprisoned for six months for an act that was later found not to be guilty. We call on the state to restore our dignity and to compensate for all material losses we have suffered,’ he said. Earlier, the Panel of Judges of the Central Jakarta District Court found Delpedro Marhaen, Muzaffar Salim, Syahdan Husein, and Khariq Anhar not guilty in the case of incitement related to the August 2025 mass action. Accordingly, the panel acquitted the four defendants of the charges brought by the Prosecutor (Jaksa Penuntut Umum, JPU). In the 27 February session, the prosecutors had demanded two years’ imprisonment for the four defendants on charges of incitement in public, as provided for in Article 246 in conjunction with Article 20(1)(c) of the newly amended KUHP. In the initial hearing on 16 December 2025, the JPU charged them with four counts, ranging from hate speech based on SARA, disinformation causing public alarm, incitement, to child exploitation. In those four charges, the JPU charged the four defendants with layered provisions, including Article 28(2) in conjunction with Article 45A(2) of the ITE Law in conjunction with Article 55(1) (1) KUHP; Article 28(3) in conjunction with Article 45A ITE Law in conjunction with Article 55(1) (1) KUHP; Article 160 in conjunction with Article 55(1) (1) KUHP; and Article 76H in conjunction with Article 15 and Article 87 of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection in conjunction with Article 55(1) (1) KUHP. (Faj/P-3)