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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Military Court Ruling Blames Victim, Rights Group Claims

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A human rights advocacy group criticizes a military court's ruling, stating it unfairly blames a victim of a severe assault.
  • The group argues the court's consideration of the attackers' intent to "teach a lesson" is problematic and overlooks the severe harm caused.
  • They question the court's leniency towards the accused soldiers, suggesting a bias favoring the military institution.

The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has strongly criticized a ruling by the Military Court II-08 Jakarta, asserting that it unfairly casts blame on Andrie Yunus, who was the victim of a severe assault. The group of lawyers representing Andrie believes several of the judges' considerations are problematic from a human rights perspective.

Jane Rosalina Rumpia, a TAUD member, took issue with the court's finding that the severe injuries sustained by Andrie were not the result of the defendants' intent. The judges had stated the defendants merely intended to "teach a lesson" and deter future actions. Rumpia argued that the four defendants should have clearly understood the severe risks associated with pouring corrosive liquid on her client, including serious burns, permanent disability, prolonged physical suffering, and even potential death. "It is irrelevant whether the actions of the perpetrators were intended to teach a lesson," she stated during a press conference.

It is irrelevant whether the actions of the perpetrators were intended to teach a lesson.

— Jane Rosalina RumpiaA TAUD member criticizing the military court's reasoning.

Another TAUD member, Arif Maulana, echoed these sentiments, deeming the military court's arguments questionable and unacceptable. He specifically referenced a statement by a judge who allegedly accused Andrie Yunus of disrespecting the military court by not attending the proceedings. Maulana pointed out that the judge's accusation ignored Andrie's health condition, which made his physical presence impossible. TAUD contends that the court's decision appears to protect the four TNI soldiers accused, rather than siding with the victim.

The group also questioned the relevance of the judges' considerations for leniency towards the defendants. "The reason for a lighter sentence is that the defendants, who were considered to have damaged the TNI's image, have apologized to the TNI Commander," said Mustafa Layong, another TAUD member, questioning the significance of this apology to the victim. Arif added that the process seems biased, with the interests of the TNI heavily influencing the military court proceedings.

The reason for a lighter sentence is that the defendants, who were considered to have damaged the TNI's image, have apologized to the TNI Commander.

— Mustafa LayongA TAUD member questioning the leniency granted to the accused soldiers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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