Pre-Trial Motion Rejected, Suspect in Illegal Timber Case Set for Immediate Trial

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Medan District Court has rejected the pre-trial petition filed by the suspect in the illegal timber case. This decision opens the way for the criminal process to immediately enter the trial stage. The single judge in case Number 27/Pid.Pra/2026/PN Mdn stated that the determination of the suspect, initialled MN, is legally valid. The investigators are deemed to have met the minimum evidentiary requirements before designating the suspect status. The judge noted that the investigators possess three pieces of evidence: witness statements, expert testimony, and physical evidence. The determination process also went through a case review with the Coordinator of PPNS Supervisors at the North Sumatra Police. This case is a development from the previous arrest of four suspects who were transporting timber without valid documents. They were found to be carrying timber without SKSHHKB during the operation conducted by the authorities. Based on the investigation results, MN is suspected of ordering the transportation of dozens of round logs from Lancat Village to a sawmill in Padangsidimpuan. In that operation, officers seized four trucks containing mixed forest timber amounting to 44.25 cubic metres. The Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigation Agency for the Sumatra Region, Hari Novianto, stated that this decision strengthens law enforcement efforts in the forestry sector. The investigation process is considered to have proceeded in accordance with regulations. “This pre-trial decision affirms the application of the principle ‘in dubio pro natura’ – that in cases of doubt, the judge sides with the preservation of the environment. It also proves that our investigation actions have been in line with the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP),” said Hari in a press release on Tuesday (21/4/2026). With the pre-trial rejection, the legal process against MN is ensured to continue to court. The investigators are charging the suspect with multiple articles related to forest destruction and complicity in criminal acts. Previously, the four other suspects in this case also filed pre-trial motions, which were rejected. Currently, their case files have been declared complete and have entered the trial stage.