Mataram Man Charged with Killing Brother-in-Law Over Debt, Faces 7 Years in Prison
The Mataram City Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit has charged AM (23) with the killing of his brother-in-law, identified as RI (19). The Ampenan native from Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), faces up to seven years in prison.
Satreskrim Polresta Mataram chief, AKP I Made Dharma Yulia Putra, stated that AM was formally designated as a suspect after a series of investigations, witness testimonies, and interrogation of the suspect himself.
“We have conducted a case review to elevate the suspect’s status from person of interest to formal suspect,” Dharma said on Monday, 25 May 2026.
AM is currently detained at Mataram City Police for further questioning. As a suspect, he is charged under Article 466(3) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on Assault Leading to Death.
“The potential sentence is seven years’ imprisonment,” he added.
The altercation between the victim and suspect occurred on Friday, 22 May 2026, at AM’s rental property in Pagesangan Timur, Mataram District, Mataram City.
“The victim and suspect are related by family,” Dharma noted.
The deadly fight was triggered by a debt dispute. The victim went to the suspect’s rental unit. The confrontation took place in the parking area.
Prior to the fight, the suspect had gone to the victim’s mother-in-law’s home in Ampenan to demand repayment of a Rp5 million debt.
“The suspect went to the victim’s mother-in-law to collect the debt,” he said.
This action angered the victim, who then went to the suspect’s rental unit.
“The victim arrived at the suspect’s residence armed with two knives and challenged him to a fight,” Dharma explained.
According to Dharma, the victim repeatedly punched the suspect. CCTV footage showed an unavoidable struggle. The victim collapsed and lost consciousness.
“Based on the CCTV footage we obtained, there was a fight and scuffle between the victim and suspect. The suspect struck the victim, and the victim also punched the suspect,” he said.
The victim’s knives were not used. He died from severe head injuries.