DPP AAI Applauds Junaidi Saibih's Acquittal

Jakarta — The Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Advocates Association (DPP AAI), led by Arman Hanis, has expressed the highest appreciation to the Panel of Judges of the Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court following the acquittal of Advocate Dr. Junaidi Saibih, S.H., M.H., LL.M., at a session ruled in the early hours of Wednesday, 4 March. In the operative part of the verdict, the panel declared that Junaidi Saibih had not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt to have committed the offence of obstruction of justice as charged by the public prosecutor. The ruling confirms that all actions taken by Junaidi were part of the legitimate practice of the advocacy profession and protected by law. Deputy Chairman of the DPP AAI, Defrizal Djamaris, said that from the outset they believed Junaidi’s actions were purely part of the profession’s duties in defending clients whose interests are protected by law. ‘In accordance with Article 16 of the Advocates Law, our colleague Junaidi Saibih has carried out his profession in good faith. This acquittal confirms that his actions were fully within the bounds of law and the code of ethics of the advocacy profession,’ Defrizal explained. Constitutional Foundation and Academic Freedom The ruling is reinforced by considerations of the Constitutional Court in Case No. 71/PUU-XXIII/2025 dated 2 March 2026. The Constitutional Court decision explicitly sets limits on the application of Article 21 of the Corruption Eradication Law so as not to open room for interpretations that could criminalise the advocacy profession. Key points noted by the AAI in the judges’ considerations include: - Important precedent in the enforcement of the law: For AAI, the outcome is not merely a personal victory for Junaidi Saibih but a victory for the supremacy of the law and for the protection of independent legal defence in Indonesia. The decision is expected to serve as an important precedent so that law enforcement authorities do not arbitrarily use ‘rubber’ provisions to trap advocates discharging their defence functions. AAI is committed to remaining at the forefront of safeguarding the dignity of the profession to uphold justice and legal certainty. The association emphasised that it will continue to stand at the forefront of defending the independence and integrity of the legal profession.