Family of Chicken Thief Prepares Assault Report Following Fatal Mob Attack in Tabanan
The family of a man who died after being beaten by a mob on suspicion of stealing a chicken is preparing to file a report with the Tabanan Police. The victim, identified by the initials KD (41), was fatally assaulted in Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan.
A spokesperson for the family’s legal team, Gede Yudi Sutrisna, stated that the report aims to support the ongoing police investigation. He emphasised that the alleged fatal assault constitutes a general crime and must be processed in accordance with the law.
‘Yes, we, as the legal representatives of the victim’s family, will file a report with the Tabanan Resort Police. Because this is a general crime, we hope this report will synergise with what the police are already doing,’ Yudi said in Buleleng on Tuesday.
In addition to the fatal beating, the mob also set fire to the motorcycle ridden by the victim, who was a resident of Sidatapa Village, Banjar District, Buleleng. The legal team confirmed they will accompany the family if they are called for questioning by investigators to ensure their legal rights are protected.
‘We are ready to assist the victim’s family. All these steps are aimed at defending the family’s legal rights,’ Yudi added. He said the family is entrusting the handling of the case entirely to the police but will continue to monitor the process to ensure it proceeds according to regulations.
Yudi urged the public not to take the law into their own hands and to allow law enforcement officers to complete their investigation without interference. ‘I appeal to all parties not to exacerbate the situation. Let us hand this over to the legal process to avoid public unrest,’ he said.
The victim’s home in Sidatapa Village has been continuously visited by mourners and community members offering condolences and support.
Regarding the investigation, Tabanan Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Made Tedy confirmed that the probe is ongoing. Police have named five suspects with the initials MJ, WS, KB, ML, and ND, and have examined at least 18 witnesses.
Tabanan Police Chief AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati revealed that the victim was a repeat offender with a prior police record for clove theft in 2018. He also noted that the motorcycle burned by the mob had been reported stolen in Bangli Regency in 2019. ‘It is true that the individual was a repeat offender and had committed similar crimes before. However, law enforcement must still be carried out in a measured manner,’ Bayu Pati stated.