Extorting Foreigners for Rp2 Billion: Three Banten Prosecutors Undergo First Trial
Serang (ANTARA) - Three prosecutors from the Banten High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati) began their first trial on allegations of extorting Rp2 billion from two South Korean foreign nationals in connection with the handling of an Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE) case at the Corruption Court (Tipikor) of the Serang District Court on Tuesday.
The three rogue prosecutors are Redy Zulkarnain, Rivaldo Valini, and Herdian Malda Ksastria. They underwent the first hearing with the agenda of reading the indictment.
In addition to the three prosecutors, two other defendants are being tried in this case: Maria Sisca as the translator and Didik Feriyanto as the legal advisor.
The five defendants were previously caught in a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) sting operation (OTT) in December 2025.
Public Prosecutor (JPU) Yopi Suhanda, in his indictment, stated that the extortion case against the victims, Tirza Angelica and Chihoon Lee, occurred between February and November 2025. The defendants exploited the legal positions of the two foreign nationals to gain personal profit.
“The suspects will be prosecuted and sentenced to heavy punishment if they do not hand over the money in handling the alleged Electronic Information and Transactions Law criminal case,” said Yopi before the panel of judges chaired by Hasanudin.
The JPU explained that defendant Redy openly threatened the victims with severe punishment. The rogue prosecutor even stated that the legal process in Indonesia could be arranged with money.
In a meeting in Karawaci in March 2025, Redy initially demanded Rp2 billion to free the two victims. After negotiations due to the victims’ objections, the amount was reduced to Rp1 billion, with an additional Rp300 million if the judge ruled for acquittal.
The victims then handed over an initial payment of Rp700 million. This money was immediately distributed: Rp100 million to Rivaldo Valini, Rp50 million to Didik Feriyanto, and Rp50 million to Maria Sisca, while the remainder was controlled by Redy.
In addition to the initial payment, the JPU outlined a series of additional fund requests at various stages, starting from Rp150 million for detention suspension, Rp200 million under the pretext for the court clerk, Rp700 million for arranging the verdict, up to Rp500 million for arranging the prosecution.
Nevertheless, during the examination process, several parties have returned part of the extortion money totalling Rp941 million. This money was returned to the victims on 17 December 2025.
For their actions, the five defendants are charged under Article 12 letter e in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Offences Law, in conjunction with Law No. 20 of 2001, in conjunction with the latest Criminal Code (Law No. 1 of 2023), as well as the penal adjustment provisions in Law No. 1 of 2026.