Man Charged with Assault for Slashing Female Student at UIN Suska, Motivated by Heartbreak

Police have formally charged RM (21), a resident of Banhkinang, as a suspect in the machete attack on a student at Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University (UIN Suska).

The Head of Public Relations for the Riau Police Regional Command, Brigadier Pandra Zahwani Arsyad, announced that the charge was filed by the Bina Widya Police Station following the discovery of sufficient evidence linking the suspect to the crime.

“Yes, the suspect RM (21), a resident of Banhkinang, has been formally charged and is being detained at the Bina Widya Police Station of the Pekanbaru Police Authority,” he stated to journalists on Friday, 26 February.

According to preliminary investigation findings, the assault was motivated by resentment or emotional grievance held by the suspect against the victim. “The motive appears to be that they had a close prior relationship. It seems to stem from feelings of hurt or resentment,” he explained.

Pandra stated that RM has been charged in accordance with Article 469 of Indonesia’s National Criminal Code No. 1 of 2023, pertaining to premeditated aggravated assault, which carries a penalty of up to 12 years’ imprisonment.

The victim, a 23-year-old student at UIN Suska named Faradila, sustained three lacerations and puncture wounds after being attacked by her acquaintance, identified as R (21), whilst preparing for her thesis defence at the campus.

“The victim sustained wounds to the head, back, and arm,” explained Brigadier Pandra Zahwani Arsyad on Thursday, 26 February.

The attack occurred on Thursday, 26 February, at approximately 08:30 local time. At that moment, the victim was at campus preparing for her thesis proposal defence when the suspect, who was already acquainted with her, arrived with the deliberate intention to harm her, having brought a sharp weapon—a machete—beforehand.

The suspect directly sought out the victim upon arriving at campus and carried out the attack. As a result, the victim sustained three lacerations and puncture wounds to the head, back, and arm. “The suspect R brought a machete, this sharp weapon, and directly approached the victim named Farah,” he stated.