Gus Yaqut attends Eid al-Adha prayer with 52 detainees at KPK detention centre

Fifty-two Muslim detainees at the KPK detention facility attended Eid al-Adha prayers at the Al-Ikhlas Mosque in the KPK’s Red and White Building on Wednesday 27 May. Among those attending was former Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, also known as Gus Yaqut, who is currently a suspect in a suspected 2023-2024 Hajj quota corruption case. After the prayers, Gus Yaqut was seen returning to his cell with other detainees, wearing a white t-shirt paired with a sarong and peci. Also present was former Pati Regent Sudewo, who is a suspect in a bribery case related to village official appointments in Pati Regency, Central Java. Sudewo, suspected of extortion in the appointment of village officials in Pati Regency, Central Java, waved to journalists before entering the cell. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that conducting Eid al-Adha prayers within the detention facility is part of fulfilling detainees’ basic rights. “This facilitation is a demonstration of meeting detainees’ basic rights, including practising their religion and beliefs,” Budi said on Wednesday 27 May. Of the 62 detainees at the KPK’s Red and White Building and C1 Branch Detention Centre, 52 are Muslim and attended the Eid prayers. The remaining include five Christians, two Catholics, two Buddhists, and one Hindu. Budi added that the KPK also allowed family visits for detainees on Wednesday 27 May between 10:00 and 13:00 WIB. “We view the provision of religious rights as part of respecting human rights and rehabilitating detainees during legal proceedings,” Budi said. Furthermore, he stressed that all religious activities within the detention facility are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations. “Therefore, religious worship is routinely facilitated while adhering to the detention centre’s rules,” he concluded.