South Jakarta Prosecutor's Office Explains Why Roy Suryo and Dr Tifa Were Not Detained

The South Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari Jaksel) has stated the reason it did not detain suspects Roy Suryo and Tifauzia Tyassuma (Dr Tifa) in the alleged defamation and slander case related to the authenticity of the diploma of Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Head of the South Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office, Marcelo Bellah, told reporters on Monday that the decision was based on the opinion of the public prosecutor team. "We convey that based on the opinion of the public prosecutor team regarding the request from the legal counsel and families of the suspects, detention was not carried out," he said.

Marcelo explained that the considerations included the families acting as guarantors who are willing to accept the risk if the suspects fail to appear in court. Additionally, a statement letter from the suspects pledging to always cooperate, fulfil all obligations and rules, and not repeat the alleged actions was taken into account.

"So, in accordance with the applicable mechanisms and provisions for the suspects, detention was not carried out," he stated.

Furthermore, considering that the case has consumed considerable time and public attention, it has been categorised as a significant case, necessitating that it be brought to trial promptly to obtain legal certainty.

The investigation team from the Directorate of General Crimes at the Metro Jaya Regional Police has transferred the responsibility of the suspects and evidence to the South Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office as the public prosecutor. The two suspects, Roy Suryo and Dr Tifa, along with 714 items of evidence, were handed over today. The evidence includes various types of documents, books, mobile phones, and flash disks containing links and videos related to the case.

This case concerns the alleged criminal act of assaulting the honour or good name of a person, committed in public, both through electronic media and directly, as stipulated in Articles 434, 433, and 441 of the Criminal Code, as well as Articles 35 and 32 of the ITE Law, which are charged against the suspects.

The suspects, Roy Suryo and Dr Tifa, arrived at the South Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office wearing orange detainee shirts on Monday at 09:43 WIB for the second phase of the case transfer.