Parliamentary Commission Meets Karo District Prosecutor Suspected of Obstructing Videographer's Release from Detention

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) held a meeting with the Head of the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office, Danke Rajagukguk, to discuss the legal controversy ensnaring videographer Amsal Sitepu.

The Karo District Prosecutor is suspected of having obstructed Amsal’s release from the detention centre (rutan) even though the judge had granted the suspension of detention.

Commission III DPR RI Chair Habiburokhman, at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Thursday, said that Amsal, along with Commission III DPR RI member Hinca Panjaitan who accompanied him, had to wait for hours for personnel from the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office to allow him to leave the detention centre.

However, he said, the rights of the defendant are a fundamental matter. “It is reasonable to suspect that the actions of the Karo District Prosecutor obstructed the order of the Medan District Court Chief,” said Habiburokhman.

In addition, he wanted the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office to explain allegations of a narrative suggesting that Commission III DPR RI was intervening in the case by forcing Amsal’s release from detention.

According to him, that narrative was built through the issuance of a letter from the Karo District Prosecutor’s Office number B618/R.219/FT/03/2026 dated 31 March 2026 regarding notification of the determination to transfer the defendant’s detention, which could not be carried out because the defendant had already been released.

However, he said, the Medan District Court panel of judges had issued letter Number 171/Pidsus-TPK/2025/PN Medan, which granted the suspension of Amsal’s detention.

“The Karo District Prosecutor’s letter, which concerns the transfer of the type of detention, deviates from the content of the Medan District Court’s determination, which is an order for the suspension of detention,” he said.

He also emphasised that his side wanted to prevent violations in the execution of duties by law enforcement officials. Moreover, he said, President Prabowo Subianto has ordered that ordinary people should be able to smile and receive justice.