YouTuber Resbob Fights Four-Year Prison Sentence in Sundanese Defamation Trial

YouTuber Adimas Firdaus Putra Nasihan, known as Resbob, attended his first hearing at Bandung District Court in connection with allegations of defaming the Sundanese ethnic group.

In the indictment read by the public prosecutor, Resbob faces a potential four-year prison sentence for his actions.

However, during the initial hearing, Resbob immediately filed an objection or exception. This legal manoeuvre was not intended to challenge the substance of the indictment, but rather to dispute the relative jurisdictional competence of the court hearing the case.

“In essence, what we will respond to in the form of a challenge, in accordance with the applicable Criminal Procedure Code, concerns the authority of the court adjudicating the alleged criminal act. In our view, the more appropriate venue would be the Surabaya Court,” said Fidelis Giawa, the defendant’s legal counsel, as quoted by detikcom on Monday (23 February).

“Because, as outlined, the incident took place in Surabaya,” he added.

Regarding the substance of the indictment, which states that Resbob defamed the Viking supporter group and the Sundanese people, Fidelis said there was no motive of dislike or hatred behind the actions.

“There was absolutely no motive to hurt the feelings of any ethnic group or particular community — that was never the intention,” he said.

When asked about reports that Resbob had committed similar acts before, Fidelis stated that his team had only received one report in connection with the case. “Based on the examination, it only happened once,” he said.

Fidelis stressed that his client deeply regretted what he had done to the Viking community and the Sundanese people. “He regrets it and deeply regrets it, and a public statement of remorse has already been made as part of a reconciliation,” he concluded.