Yusril: Government Respects Court Ruling Acquitting Delpedro Marhaen and Others

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Prisons, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has spoken about the acquittal verdict received by four defendants in the August 2025 riot incitement case. Yusril said the government respects the decision issued by the Central Jakarta District Court. ‘The government respects the Central Jakarta District Court’s decision to acquit Delpedro Marhaen and others. The court has demonstrated its independence, and the government did not intervene in the conduct of the trial,’ Yusril said in a written statement to reporters in Jakarta on Friday (6 March 2026).

He said the verdict shows the court’s independence and the government did not interfere during the legal process. He explained that under the new KUHAP provisions, the Public Prosecutor’s Office cannot appeal such an acquittal. Therefore, the matter should be considered final and closed.

‘I urge prosecutors not to theorise about ’pure acquittal’ and ‘not-pure acquittal’ to seek grounds for appeals as was common under the old KUHAP,’ he asserted.

Yusril also stressed that the government has fulfilled its commitment not to interfere with ongoing legal proceedings. He urged the defendants to be released promptly.

‘The judge has presided over this case independently, without pressure or influence from any party. With this decision, Delpedro and the others should be released from custody and return to society. The government is fair and respects the independence of the judiciary,’ Yusril said.

He added that after acquittal, the defendants’ good names should also be restored. Yusril said if the judge’s ruling does not provide for rehabilitation, the President could order rehabilitation of the defendants’ dignity and honour.

‘I have not read the decision in full yet; whether rehabilitation is included by the judge or not, if not, Delpedro and the others can be rehabilitated by the President,’ he said.

As is known, Lokataru Executive Director Delpedro Marhaen, Lokataru Foundation staff Muzaffar, and Riau University student Khariq Anhar were acquitted in the alleged incitement case. The verdict hearing for Delpedro and colleagues was held at the Central Jakarta District Court today.

‘Convicting, stating that the Defendants, Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah; Muzaffar Salim; Syahdan Husein; and Khariq Anhar above, were not proven guilty of the offences charged in the Prosecution’s alternate counts two, three and four,’ said the presiding judge Harika Nova Yeri as she read the verdict.

‘The Defendants are therefore acquitted of all charges brought by the Prosecution,’ the judge added.

The judge ordered restoration of Delpedro and others’ rights in dignity and standing. The judge ordered the defendants to be released from city detention following the verdict.

‘To restore the rights of the Defendants in their capacity, status, dignity, and honour,’ the judge concluded.