Hotman Paris Withdraws as Febrie Adriansyah's Lawyer Amid Health Concerns

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea has revealed his reasons for stepping down as counsel for Febrie Adriansyah, the former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes at the Attorney General’s Office. Hotman said he had undergone surgery for a pinched nerve in Singapore in early July.

“I told him that because my health condition could become serious, I informed him [Febrie] that I was resigning as his lawyer in the case in which he is a suspect at the Attorney General’s Office — that’s the gist of it,” Hotman told reporters on Thursday (23/7/2026).

Hotman said he had suffered from a pinched nerve, or Hernia Nucleus Pulposus (HNP), specifically in his lower back. Since early July he had been shuttling back and forth for treatment in Jakarta, before eventually undergoing surgery at a hospital in Singapore. He was hospitalised for two nights.

“I was supposed to be admitted for four nights. But I’m a stubborn king — after just two nights I escaped to the Hilton Singapore,” he said.

Doctors, Hotman added, had also advised him to rest for two weeks. Yet he continued working over the past fortnight, including handling Febrie’s case. As a result, Hotman said his condition grew worse.

“I was very worried, afraid of becoming paralysed. Because for two months the nerve pain had been spreading down my leg,” he said.

Hotman said he had contacted Febrie about the decision to withdraw. Febrie, he said, accepted his resignation. Febrie had initially asked him to stay on for a few more days, but Hotman said he could not due to his illness.

Hotman’s tenure as Febrie’s lawyer proved remarkably short. He first publicly announced his appointment on 17 July, when he visited the Attorney General’s Office headquarters on Friday morning (17/7/2026).

“It’s official, the power of attorney was handed over this morning,” he told reporters at the time.

During that brief period, Hotman also became embroiled in controversy after remarks that were seen as demeaning the dignity of journalists. His statements drew protests from reporters and journalistic organisations, and he was even reported to the police by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI). Hotman subsequently apologised to journalists and all professional journalism organisations.