Military Court Schedules Exception Hearing for Bank Branch Manager Case Next Week

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Military Court II-08 Jakarta has scheduled the hearing for the note of objection to the military prosecutor’s charges (exception) from three defendants in the case of the alleged kidnapping and murder of a bank branch head (kacab) with initials MIP (37) for Monday (13/4). “We have set the schedule for the defendants’ exception hearing on Monday, 13 April, next week. After the exception, there will be a response from the Prosecutor on 15 April,” said Presiding Judge Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto during the first hearing of the case of the alleged kidnapping and murder of the bank branch head at the Military Court II-08 Jakarta, Cakung, East Jakarta, on Monday. The defendants, namely Serka MN (defendant 1), Kopda FH (defendant 2), and Serka FY (defendant 3), are charged with involvement in a series of kidnappings accompanied by the murder of MIP. Previously, during the trial, Fredy emphasised that the defendants have the right to file an exception as an initial form of defence against the charges. An exception can be filed if there is inconsistency in the description of the charges or if the defendant considers there to be a fundamental error, such as an error regarding a person (error in persona) or issues of court jurisdiction. To ensure a well-considered decision, the panel of judges gave the three defendants time to consult directly with their legal advisory team. The discussion took place briefly in the courtroom for less than five minutes before the legal advisors finally conveyed their official stance. “After discussing with the three defendants, we from the legal advisory team state that we will file an exception,” said the legal advisor representing the defendants. To maintain the effectiveness of the examination, the panel of judges has also prepared a clustering of witnesses to facilitate a gradual and focused deepening of the facts. The second cluster includes witnesses eight to twelve, who will strengthen the chronology of events, while the third cluster involves witnesses 13 to 17, including the possibility of expert witnesses or additional relevant witnesses for proving the case. “The schedule for witness examinations will be rescheduled later,” Fredy said. In addition, the panel of judges gave special attention to one of the defendants who is not in detention. In his directions, the Presiding Judge reminded that defendant to remain cooperative in following the entire trial process. Not only regulating the legal process, the panel of judges also emphasised the importance of maintaining order and ethics in the courtroom. One point of focus was the dress code for legal advisors in subsequent hearings. Fredy requested that the entire defence team wear complete Daily Service Uniform (PDH) with appropriate insignia, including the use of mutz caps. He also reminded them not to use excessive insignia such as badges or other unnecessary honours in the courtroom. “We must uphold the honour of the courtroom. The defenders are required to wear PDH and mutz caps, without additional embellishments, just name tags,” Fredy stressed firmly. Another Military Prosecutor, Major (Chk) Wasinton Marpaung, stated that in this case, the three soldiers who are defendants are Serka MN (defendant 1), Kopda FH (defendant 2), and Serka FY (defendant 3). The three are alleged to have been involved together in a series of actions from kidnapping to the murder of victim MIP. For the first defendant, Serka MN, the prosecutor has compiled layered charges. On the first charge, MN is charged under Article 340 of the Criminal Code juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code as the primary charge. This article regulates premeditated murder committed jointly. As an alternative, Serka MN is also charged under Article 338 of the Criminal Code juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code as subsidiary, and Article 351 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code juncto Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code as more subsidiary. “In addition, there is an alternative charge under Article 333 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code regarding deprivation of liberty causing death,” said Wasinton. Meanwhile, the second defendant, Kopda FH, is also charged in a similar pattern, namely Article 340 of the Criminal Code as the primary charge, with alternatives under Article 338 and Article 351 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code. FH is also charged under the alternative Article 333 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code. The same applies to the third defendant, Serka FY, who is charged with an almost identical construction of articles, from premeditated murder to deprivation of liberty causing death. The Military Court II-08 Jakarta, Cakung, East Jakarta, held the first hearing of the case of the alleged kidnapping and murder of a bank branch head (kacab) with initials MIP (37) involving a TNI soldier, on Monday morning. Based on the Case Tracking Information System (SIPP) page of the Military Court II-08 Jakarta, the hearing falls under the type of murder case with case number 52-K/PM.II-08/AD/III/2026.