Prosecutors Hit Back After Taufik Hidayat Challenges Trial Venue

Bandung – Public prosecutors have said that the Bale Bandung District Court has jurisdiction to hear the case involving alleged sexual violence, assault and unlawful confinement against a 29-year-old victim identified by the initials YTR, with Taufik Hidayat, 30, as the defendant.

“Essentially, the prosecution is responding to the defendant’s objection. Our position is that the Bale Bandung District Court has jurisdiction to hear the case,” Nizar said after the hearing on Wednesday (14 October 2026, responding to Taufik Hidayat’s objection.

He added that the prosecution had submitted its response to the objection, particularly regarding the locus, or location, of the alleged offences.

Previously, Hidayat challenged the venue for the proceedings, arguing that the case should be heard in Bandung City rather than at the Bale Bandung District Court.

In response, prosecutors maintained that the Bale Bandung District Court had the authority to examine and try the case, allowing the legal process to continue through the usual stages.

The hearing on the prosecution’s response to the objection was held behind closed doors in the Kusumah Atmadja Main Courtroom at the Bale Bandung District Court. Media were allowed to take photographs only before the hearing began.

The hearing was presided over by chief judge Vici Daniel Valentino, alongside two associate judges, Dwi Sugianto and Ari.

The prosecution team comprised Billie Adrian, Fitria Lestari, Rahayudin, Airlangga Surya Prakoso and Anindyo Satrio Putro. Suarman Gulo represented the defendant.

The next hearing is scheduled for next week, when the panel of judges will deliver an interlocutory ruling on whether to accept or reject the defendant’s objection.

If the objection is rejected, the trial will proceed to examination of the substance of the case.