Facing Two-Year Prison Sentence, Delpedro Marhaen: We Will Not Be Intimidated by Legal Process
Director of Lokataru Foundation Delpedro Marhaen has stated that he remains undeterred despite prosecutors seeking a two-year prison sentence in a case alleging incitement during the August 2025 wave of demonstrations.
Marhaen made the statement following the prosecution’s sentencing hearing at Jakarta Central District Court on Friday (27 February). He argued that the prosecution’s demand does not align with facts that emerged during the trial proceedings.
“We are deeply disappointed by the two-year demand which we consider unreasonable, but that is the reality of the process that has taken place,” he told media within the courtroom following the sentencing hearing.
Nevertheless, Marhaen emphasised that the sentence demand would not deter him or his associates. “However, two years will certainly not intimidate us. From the outset, we have stated that we are most satisfied in this process because we are part of an event whose purpose is to restore democracy,” he continued.
He assessed the case as a test of the judicial system and the public’s ability to judge the legal process underway.
“So certainly the two-year demand will not intimidate us, will not frighten us, and this becomes a test for the judges, a test for the public, and also a test for our legal system in how it can correct the prosecution’s erroneous thinking. That is where the judges’ role lies, which we await,” he said.
In the case, prosecutors have charged Delpedro alongside three other defendants—Muzaffar Salim, Syahdan Husein, and Khariq Anhar—each with two-year prison sentences.
“For these actions, the court imposes on Defendant 1 Delpedro Marhaen a prison sentence of two years, to be reduced by time spent in detention,” the prosecution stated during the hearing.
Prosecutors stated that all four defendants have been proven beyond reasonable doubt to have committed incitement. This conduct allegedly occurred through uploading 19 pieces of content on social media, which prosecutors contend fuelled an escalation of unrest.
The content was posted through various accounts, including Student Political Bloc, Lokataru Foundation, Gejayan Memanggil, and Student Alliance Demanding Justice, which prosecutors claim were operated with the defendants’ approval.
According to the prosecution, the content contained provocative and inciting messages encouraging the public, including students and children, to undertake unlawful actions.
“This incitement escalated unrest, resulting in damage to public facilities, injuries to security personnel, and creating a sense of insecurity among the public,” the prosecution continued.
In their indictment, prosecutors charged the defendants with violating Article 246 in conjunction with Article 20C of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Prosecutors also requested that the court order the defendants’ immediate detention in state custody.
“The court is requested to immediately order the detention of the defendants in prison,” the prosecution stated.
The case began with Marhaen’s arrest by police on 1 September 2025 at his residence. One day later, on 2 September 2025, he was designated as a suspect by the Jakarta Metro Regional Police.
At that time, police alleged that Marhaen had spread provocative messages potentially encouraging anarchic actions during the August 2025 demonstrations.
“The Criminal Investigation Division of the Jakarta Metro Regional Police arrested suspect DMR on suspicion of spreading provocative incitement calls to undertake anarchic actions involving students, including minors,” said Police Public Relations Officer for Jakarta Metro Regional Police Kombes Ade Ary Syam Indradi on Tuesday (2 September 2025).
Following his designation as a suspect, Marhaen filed a judicial review petition at Jakarta South District Court. However, the judge rejected this request on Monday (27 October 2025).
The case has now entered its final stage ahead of the scheduled defence statement (plaidoi) hearing on Monday (2 March).
“We will reconvene on Monday at 10:00 AM,” said Judge Harika Nova Yeri, the head of the panel, before closing the hearing.