Karo District Prosecutor's Head and Special Crimes Section Chief Questioned over Intimidation of Amsal Sitepu
The Head of the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office (Kajari Karo), Danke Rajagukguk, and the Head of the Special Crimes Section (Kasi Pidsus), Reinhard Harve Sembiring, have been questioned regarding allegations of intimidating the defendant Amsal Sitepu.
The Head of the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office (Kajati Sumut), Harli Siregar, stated that the clarification process for both individuals is currently underway.
“They are being clarified,” he said when contacted via text message on Wednesday (1/4).
Nevertheless, Harli noted that the examination is not related to the substance of the case involving alleged markup in the production of village profile videos by videographer Amsal Christy Sitepu.
Rather, it concerns a complaint from Amsal Sitepu who claims he was intimidated by prosecutors through the provision of brownies while in prison.
“But it’s not about the substance of the case. There is a complaint that the defendant was allegedly silenced, so it’s being checked if that’s true,” he explained.
Previously, videographer Amsal Sitepu revealed testimony of alleged intimidation he received from prosecutors in the corruption case concerning the production of a series of village profile videos in Karo Regency, North Sumatra.
The alleged intimidation came via chocolate brownies given by prosecutors at Tanjung Gusta Detention Centre in Medan. When giving the brownies, Amsal said, the prosecutor asked him to follow the entire trial process and not to cause any commotion.
“He spoke directly to me here in the detention centre, ‘just follow the flow. Don’t make a fuss. Close those contents. Some people are disturbed’,” Amsal stated.
However, he rejected the intimidation and affirmed that he would continue to fight. Amsal emphasised that he is a victim of criminalisation for an act he never committed.
“I said, no, I will still fight. Even though I know many people say you’ll be buried. If you fight, you’ll be buried. But I said, I’m not afraid. Because I’m not guilty,” Amsal declared.