Doctor Tifa's Exception Accepted, Case File Returned, Trial on Jokowi's Diploma Halted

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The panel of judges at the East Jakarta District Court (PN) has granted the objection (exception) lodged by Tifauzia Tyassuma, known as Doctor Tifa, the defendant in a case alleging slander and defamation related to claims about the authenticity of the diploma of Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

“Ruling: the request of the defence team is granted and the indictment by the public prosecutor is null and void under the law. Therefore, the other grounds of the objection need not be considered,” said Presiding Judge Christina Endarwati at the interim ruling hearing at the East Jakarta District Court on Thursday.

In addition, the panel of judges ordered that the case files, charges and evidence be returned to the public prosecutor. All costs in the case are to be borne by the state.

“Considering that, as the objection raised by the defendant’s counsel has been granted, the examination of this case cannot proceed. Given that it cannot proceed, the case files in the name of the defendant Tifa Fauziah Tyassuma, together with all the evidence, must be returned to the public prosecutor,” Christina explained.