Sentenced to 5 Months and 3 Days, Defendant in DIY Police Tent Arson Case Immediately Released

The Sleman District Court sentenced Perdana Arie Putra Veriasa to 5 months and 3 days in prison for the arson of a police facility during a protest last August. This sentence is exactly the same as the period of arrest and detention he has undergone, so he can immediately be released.

The verdict against defendant Perdana Arie was read on Monday (23/2) at the Sleman District Court. Dozens of people crowded the courtroom to show support for Perdana Arie.

In its consideration, the chairman of the panel of judges, Ari Prabawa, stated that Perdana Arie’s actions met all the elements in Article 308 paragraph 1 of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, as in the first alternative indictment of the public prosecutor. This sentence is lower than the prosecutor’s demand of 1 year imprisonment for Arie.

“Sentencing the defendant to a prison sentence of 5 months and 3 days,” said Ari Prabawa while reading the verdict at the Sleman District Court, Monday (23/2/2026).

The judge then stipulated that the period of arrest and detention that the defendant had served would be fully deducted from the imposed sentence.

“Ordering the public prosecutor to release the defendant from detention immediately after this verdict is read,” he said.

Judges’ Considerations

In the consideration of the panel of judges, the aggravating circumstances are the impact of the criminal act on the community, victims or the state. The defendant’s actions have harmed the DIY Police because the tent that was burned was an asset or property of the DIY Police.

Meanwhile, the mitigating circumstances according to the panel of judges are the defendant’s motive for burning the tent, namely as a form of protest and solidarity and fighting for justice for the death of an online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, who died after being hit by a Brimob armored vehicle during a mass action in Jakarta. The panel of judges considered this motive to be a motive that deserves to be appreciated to reduce the defendant’s sentence.

“Even though the defendant’s actions have caused the police tent to burn, the losses from the burning of the tent are not comparable to the purpose or intention of the defendant, namely the struggle for justice for the death of online motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan,” he said.

In addition, the judge assessed that the defendant’s role in the process of burning the police tent was not too significant. Because based on the facts, the defendant only sprinkled fire on the tent on the east side.

This is based on the testimony of a chemical expert, who stated that the tent contained a special material that functioned as an anti-UV. In addition, there were other mass action participants who also burned the tent.

“In connection with the CCTV recording evidence, the fire could burn the tent completely because there were other sources on the south side, and there were other masses who also burned the tent. So the punishment imposed on the defendant must also be proportional to the defendant’s role,” he said.

The judge also saw the defendant’s life history as a consideration. The defendant, according to the panel of judges, is a student activist who often carries out student scientific activities, student seminars, and is also often actively involved in advocacy for issues of injustice in this country.

“This should also be appreciated as a mitigating factor for the defendant’s sentence,” he said.

Furthermore, from the defendant’s educational background, life history, and social conditions as revealed at trial, the judge assessed that the defendant has the potential to become a better person. So a long prison sentence can actually have a bad influence on the defendant’s future.

“The attitude and actions of the perpetrator after committing the crime. The defendant did not run away and is determined to remain active in the fight for justice without violating the law,” he said.

In addition, the defendant and his family have good intentions to compensate for the losses, although this has not received a response from the DIY Police.

“In his daily life, the defendant is a good student, has never been punished, and during previous demonstration actions, he has never committed anarchic acts,” he said.

With this verdict, Perdana Arie can be immediately released. Because in the calculation of the panel, the verdict and the period of arrest and detention of Perdana Arie are the same, namely 5 months and 3 days.

“You are declared guilty, sentenced to 5 months and 3 days. The sentence is reduced from the period of arrest and detention, and in the calculation of the Panel, the period of arrest and detention is exactly 5 months and 3 days,” said Ari.

Therefore, after this verdict is issued, Perdana Arie can be immediately released from detention.

“Yes, therefore, it is ordered that he be released from detention after this verdict is read, so after this, you can be released by the Public Prosecutor,” said Ari, which was then greeted with cheers from the trial attendees.

Regarding this verdict, the defendant Perdana Arie stated that he accepted the verdict of the panel of judges. Meanwhile, the prosecutor stated that he would consider it.

“Okay, because the Public Prosecutor still states that he will consider it, this verdict has not been final. However, with the order to be released from detention after this verdict is pronounced, it must be immediately carried out to be released from detention today,” he concluded.