Hotman Claims Febrie Adriansyah's Corruption Suspect Status Lacked Presidential Courtesy

Lawyer Hotman Paris has claimed that the designation of former Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah as a suspect was carried out without reporting to or seeking permission from President Prabowo Subianto. Febrie was named a suspect by the police in a case of alleged corruption and money laundering related to ASABRI.

Hotman made the statement after accompanying Febrie for questioning at the Attorney General’s Office in South Jakarta on Friday (17/7/2026). He stated that President Prabowo has been his client for decades. He described Febrie as an accomplished figure who is a source of pride for President Prabowo, citing his success in recovering a fantastic amount of state assets.

“Where is the logic in a subordinate of the President naming another subordinate, who is the President’s pride, as a suspect and humiliating them? Someone who returned Rp 430 trillion to the state, treated like this,” Hotman told reporters. He claimed to have received information that the legal process undertaken by the police against Febrie was unknown to Prabowo.

“Imagine, the President’s pride and joy suddenly being criminalised without even saying goodbye to the President. Because when I was in Singapore, I made an account thinking it was impossible the President didn’t know, but it turns out he didn’t,” he revealed. According to Hotman, the act of naming Febrie a suspect shows a lack of respect for President Prabowo. He suspects that Febrie’s work in uncovering major cases, such as the Petral case and the MBG programme, had disturbed the comfort of oligarchs.

“Many oligarchs were disturbed. By doing this to the former Jampidsus, I see a lack of respect for President Prabowo,” he said. On the occasion, Hotman also explained his reasons for defending Febrie in the alleged corruption case. He claimed his decision to act as Febrie’s legal counsel was not for money or to curry favour. “Don’t ask if I’m trying to curry favour, I don’t need money anymore. And all my clients are conglomerates, ask them,” Hotman stated. “I am not expecting money from this Jampidsus because I know he cannot pay me a high fee. My fees are super expensive in Indonesia,” he concluded.

Febrie Adriansyah was named a suspect by the Polda Metro Jaya together with the Police Corruption Eradication Corps. Police confirmed the suspect designation was based on sufficient evidence and decided through a transparent case review process. “This is based on the investigators’ belief regarding two pieces of sufficient evidence. On that basis, through the case review process, the status was upgraded to suspect and it is accountable,” said a police spokesperson to reporters at the Kejagung on Friday afternoon.

In uncovering the case, investigators also conducted searches at several locations, including a money changer outlet, Cafe de’Clan Signature in Cipete, South Jakarta, and Febrie’s residence in Sentul, West Java. During the searches, police seized a number of items, including 74 kg of gold bars, cash, and foreign currency worth billions of rupiah, which are suspected to be linked to the criminal act of corruption.

The investigation has been fully handed over to the Attorney General’s Office. The police have requested the public to give space and moral support to the investigative team, including the prosecutors, so that the legal process can be carried out comprehensively. Previously, the police stressed that the investigation into coal corruption cases that triggered blackouts, as well as the ASABRI and Krakatau Steel cases, was a direct order from President Prabowo Subianto.

The Attorney General’s Office has begun investigating the corruption case involving Febrie Adriansyah. A total of nine prosecutors have been assigned to handle the case, the majority of whom have experience working at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The handling of the case will be carried out with great care, and the entire investigation process will be conducted professionally and in accordance with applicable procedural law.