UIN Suska Riau Student Slashed by Acquaintance, Sustains Wounds to Head and Back

A 23-year-old female student at Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim (UIN Suska) Riau, Faradila, sustained three slash and stab wounds following an attack by an acquaintance identified as R (21) whilst preparing for her thesis defence on campus.

“The victim sustained wounds to the head, back, and arm,” said Kombes Pandra Zahwani Arsyad, Head of Public Relations at the Riau Regional Police Headquarters, to journalists on Thursday (26 February).

Pandra explained that the machete attack occurred on Thursday (26 February) at approximately 08.30 Western Indonesian Time (WIB). At the time, the victim was on campus preparing for her thesis proposal defence.

Pandra stated that the male perpetrator, who was acquainted with the victim, came to campus with the intention to injure her and had brought a sharp weapon—a machete—beforehand.

“The suspect, R, brought a machete, a sharp weapon, and directly approached the victim named Farah,” he said.

Following the attack, Pandra explained that the university immediately contacted Bina Widya Police Station through the emergency call centre 110. Officers then went to the scene and arrested the perpetrator R.

He explained that the victim is currently undergoing intensive care at Bhayangkara Hospital in Pekanbaru and remains in stable condition.

Pandra further stated that preliminary investigation results indicated the attack was motivated by personal grievance or resentment between the perpetrator and victim.

“The motive appears to be that they already had a close relationship, and there seems to be feelings of hurt or resentment,” he said.

He added that the perpetrator has been brought to Bina Widya Police Station for legal proceedings. For his actions, Pandra stated the perpetrator is being charged under Article 469 of the Criminal Code Number 1 of 2023 concerning assault.

“With a maximum prison sentence of up to 12 years,” he concluded.