LPSK to Protect Two Witnesses in State-Owned Bank Branch Manager Murder Case During Trial

JAKARTA - The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) has confirmed that it will protect two witnesses in the case of the murder of the head of a state-owned bank branch, Mohammad Ilham Pradipta, during the trial process. Physical protection in the form of close escort is being provided to the two witnesses, initialled PA and IT, who will undergo the trial in court. Deputy Chairman of the LPSK, Antonius PS Wibowo, explained that the LPSK is also providing psychological rehabilitation assistance, temporary living expense support, and facilitation of restitution to PA. Meanwhile, witness IT is receiving procedural rights fulfilment services as well as physical protection in the form of close security. “The witnesses receive escort from the departure to the court, accompaniment during the trial, to security upon return to a safe location,” said Antonius PS Wibowo in a written statement on Thursday (9/4/2026). “This security not only aims to safeguard physical safety but also to ensure the witnesses’ psychological condition remains stable, so they can provide honest and complete testimony before the panel of judges,” Antonius stated. Antonius revealed that the case constitutes a criminal act of kidnapping and deprivation of liberty that resulted in the victim’s death. The kidnapping occurred in the parking area of a shopping centre in East Jakarta on 20 August 2025, before the victim was found dead in Bekasi. “Based on the investigation results, this case involves at least 17 perpetrators, both civilians and non-civilians. The perpetrators have different roles, from planners, stalkers, kidnapping executors, to those who carried out the assault leading to the victim’s death,” he explained. The victim was found dead in a rice field area in Kampung Karangsambung, Nagasari Village, Serang Baru Subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, on Thursday (21/8/2025) around 05:30 WIB. When found, the victim’s hands and feet were bound, eyes covered with duct tape, and body full of bruises. Investigators revealed that Ilham was previously kidnapped in the parking area of a supermarket in the Pasar Rebo area, Susukan Ward, Ciracas Subdistrict, East Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon (20/8/2025). A total of 18 people are suspected of being involved in the kidnapping and death of Ilham, consisting of 15 civilians and three TNI soldiers from the Kopassus unit.