Police elevate alleged intimidation case of Dr Icha to investigation stage
Based on the results of a case review, following a series of investigative measures it was concluded that the reported incident constitutes a criminal event.
Kupang (ANTARA) — The General Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police has formally escalated its handling of the alleged intimidation of dr. Eliza Princila Utami Pakaenoni (dr. Icha) from the inquiry stage to a full investigation.
Director of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate at the NTT Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Sigit Haryono, speaking in Kupang on Thursday, said the decision was taken after the joint investigation team held a case review on Thursday (23/7) and concluded that indications of a criminal act had been found.
“Based on the results of the case review, after a series of investigative measures were carried out, it was concluded that the reported incident constitutes a criminal event. Therefore, its handling has been escalated to the investigation stage,” he said.
He stressed that, from the gathering of evidence, the examination of witnesses, and coordination with experts, investigators had obtained sufficient grounds to escalate the handling of the case to the investigation stage.
During the inquiry, the joint investigation team formed by the NTT Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Dr. Rudi Darmoko, examined 35 witnesses.
The team also examined four reported individuals and took statements from five experts, comprising a criminal law expert, a linguist, a psychologist, an expert in victimology and criminology, and a graphologist.
According to Kombes Pol. Sigit Haryono, the witness examinations were carried out thoroughly on parties with knowledge of the incident, ranging from the late dr. Icha’s family, health workers at Kefamenanu Regional Hospital and Leona Hospital, patients present at the location when the alleged intimidation occurred, dr. Tri Maharani, who was contacted by dr. Icha, the Chair of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) of TTU Regency, to the Speaker of the TTU Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).
Meanwhile, the four individuals reported in the case consist of three members of the North Central Timor Regency DPRD and a civil servant (ASN) within the TTU Regency Government.
“The NTT Regional Police is committed to handling this case professionally, objectively, transparently, and accountably. Every step is taken based on legal facts, evidence, and the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.
The alleged intimidation case against dr. Icha was first handled by the NTT Regional Police after the family reported the incident on 3 July 2026. In follow-up to that report, the NTT Regional Police Chief formed a joint investigation team involving personnel from Ditreskrimum, Ditreskrimsus, the Women and Children Protection Directorate, TTU Resort Police, and Kupang Resort Police to ensure the case is handled comprehensively and professionally.
With the escalation of the case’s status to the investigation stage, the NTT Regional Police has assured that the legal process will continue in accordance with applicable mechanisms to thoroughly uncover the alleged criminal act in the case.
Dr. Icha, a 27-year-old junior doctor serving in North Central Timor Regency (TTU), East Nusa Tenggara, was found dead on 26 June 2025.
Before her death, dr. Eliza Priscila Utami Pakaenoni, or dr. Icha, was allegedly subjected to intimidation whilst carrying out her duties as a medical worker, involving three members of the North Central Timor Regency (TTU) DPRD.