Joxzin Brigade Denies Four Murder Case Witnesses Are Members

The Joxzin Brigade civil organisation has stated that four witnesses questioned by police regarding the murder of Kitin Yoga Tama Rustamaji, also known as TYR (36), in Sedayu, Bantul, are not members of the organisation.

“These four individuals are not members of the Joxzin Brigade; they were simply friends of the deceased,” said Mohamad Novweni, a member of the Joxzin Brigade’s Legal and Human Rights Team, when asked for confirmation by detikJogja on Saturday (28 February 2026).

Novweni stated that the four individuals had gathered at the victim’s home on the evening before the murder took place.

The victim was killed brutally by an unknown assailant whilst sleeping with his wife and child at his residence in Kaliurang, Argomulyo, Sedayu, Bantul, on Wednesday (25 February) at approximately 05:30 local time.

When asked what activities the four individuals conducted with the victim, Novweni stated that they had simply gathered together. The four individuals were also reported to have had no problems with the victim.

“They merely gathered at the deceased’s home, and it is clear that they are not members of the Joxzin Brigade,” he stated.

Novweni also mentioned that the four friends of the victim were not at the scene when the murder occurred.

“They were not at the location when the incident happened. So they gathered, dispersed, and then the incident occurred,” he said.

Previously, police stated that four witnesses who had been questioned regarding the murder in Kaliurang, Argomulyo, Sedayu, Bantul, had been at the victim’s home beforehand.

“The four witnesses were friends who had gathered at the victim’s home before the incident,” said Rita Hidayanto, Public Relations Officer (Iptu) of Bantul Police, when contacted by detikJogja on Friday (27 February 2026).

When asked whether the four witnesses were aware of the planned attack on the victim, Rita declined to disclose this information.

“We are still investigating that matter,” she said.

Previously, Rita also had not confirmed whether the four witnesses were members of the Joxzin Brigade.

“We are still investigating whether the four witnesses are members of Joxzin,” she stated.

detikJogja contacted Rita again today to request confirmation of the results of the questioning of the witnesses. However, as of midday, Rita had not responded.

According to Novweni, a member of the Joxzin Brigade’s Legal and Human Rights Team, there is information that the victim had previously been involved in confrontations with another group.

“From accounts provided by Joxzin members in the area, there was information about a series of challenges and physical confrontations with another group,” said Novweni when contacted by detikJogja on Friday (27 February 2026).

However, Novweni claimed not to know where the other group came from. He stated that the confrontations between TYR (36) and the other group had occurred some time ago.

“Several weeks ago there were these confrontations, and then several weeks later this incident occurred,” he said.

Novweni stated that he did not wish to speculate about the origin of the group involved in confrontations with the victim. The organisation is deferring the handling of the case to Bantul Police.

“However, we cannot speculate about whether the perpetrators are from civil organisations or otherwise, because everything has been handed over to the police and they are still investigating,” he said.

Killed While Sleeping

As reported previously, the murder occurred on Wednesday (25 February) at approximately 05:30 local time. At that time, the victim was sleeping with his wife and child in the living room.

That morning, the victim’s wife reported hearing the back door of the house open. Then the perpetrator, wearing a face covering (sebo), directly swung a machete towards the victim who was still asleep.

On Wednesday (25 February), Rita Hidayanto, Public Relations Officer of Bantul Police, stated that the victim’s wife managed to block the machete swing, resulting in three of her fingers being wounded. Meanwhile, the victim’s five-year-old child sustained no injuries.

“Although the witness (the victim’s wife) blocked the perpetrator’s machete swing, the blade struck the victim’s face, stomach, and fingers,” Rita said on Wednesday (25 February).

After hacking at TYR, the perpetrator immediately fled the house. Based on police and medical examination, the victim suffered wounds to the face and stomach extending to the thigh.