Yusril: Bechi's Parole is Not a Special Privilege

The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has asserted that the parole granted to Moch Subchi Azal Tsani, alias Bechi, does not constitute a form of special privilege.

He stated that the parole for the former convict, convicted of sexual violence, was granted in accordance with applicable legal provisions. “This matter was clarified by the Director General of Corrections yesterday. They also reported to me. Bechi was granted parole because he has served two-thirds of his prison sentence. During his time in the correctional institution, he has behaved well,” Yusril said in a press statement on Thursday (24/9).

According to Yusril, if a prisoner has met the requirements specified by laws and regulations, the right to obtain parole must be granted according to the existing mechanism. “Thus, according to the applicable law, he is entitled to receive parole. In fact, the government would be wrong not to grant parole to a prisoner who has served two-tirds of his sentence and has behaved well while in the correctional institution,” he said.

Yusril explained that parole is distinct from absolute release. While serving parole, Bechi remains under supervision. “During parole, he is under supervision. If he is found to be indicated of committing a crime or found to be associating with people of bad behaviour, he will be arrested and returned to the correctional institution to serve the remaining one-third of his sentence,” Yusril explained.

Yusril added that these provisions apply to all prisoners who meet the requirements, regardless of their background or the case they are serving. “What has been done to Bechi applies to all prisoners without discrimination. This is by no means a privilege for the individual concerned,” he added.

On that basis, Yusril requested that the public view the matter objectively and not apply different standards when assessing the fulfilment of prisoners’ rights. “If you like someone, ask for their rights to be fulfilled. If you dislike them, ask for the fulfilment of their rights to be made difficult. Do not do that. We must be objective,” said Yusril.

The government, Yusril continued, must guide its duties based on applicable law, rather than personal likes or dislikes towards an individual. “The government carries out its mandate and duties in accordance with the applicable law and must be objective. It must not be based on feelings of liking or disliking. The government must be fair and objective,” he said.

Bechi is a convict in a sexual violence case who was previously sentenced to seven years in prison by the Surabaya District Court. He was granted parole despite having served only three years, one month, and seven days of his sentence. Bechi received parole because he was deemed to have met the requirements according to correctional regulations.

Parole is one form of integration programme within the correctional system. This status differs from absolute release because inmates granted parole still have the obligation to follow specific conditions and supervision during the parole period.

Bechi’s parole has drawn public scrutiny and dissatisfaction. For instance, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has urged the Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs to disclose data regarding the granting of parole to Bechi. This data includes the start date of detention and the calculation of the prison term, the verdict forming the basis of the sentence, the type and amount of each remission, the calculation of the two-thirds completion of the sentence, behaviour assessments and risk levels, the parole period, as well as supervision conditions and reasons for revocation.