Examined Becomes A Witness In The Rizieq Shihab Case, Bima Arya: Checked On New Findings

JAKARTA - The Mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya Sugiarto has finished undergoing an examination of the case allegedly obstructing the work of the COVID-19 Task Force regarding the suspect Rizieq Shihab and two other suspects. During the investigation, Bima Arya provided information about the new findings in the case.

"So I was asked to complete information related to new facts obtained by investigators from the results of the examination of witnesses from the Habib Rizieq case at the Ummi Hospital in Bogor City," Bima told reporters, Monday, January 18.

New facts or findings in this case, said Bima, were about the delivery of incorrect information regarding Rizieq Shihab's condition while undergoing treatment. This is also related to the use of Article 14 of Law Number 1 Year 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations.

The use of this article was because the suspects gave Rizieq Shihab's statement that he was in good health. In fact, the former Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) was positive for COVID-19.

"It was conveyed that at that time there were things that were conveyed by the hospital which turned out that after being examined the information was not true. It was later discovered that Habib Rizieq himself was proven or confirmed positive," he said.

In the examination Bima also explained the reason for the COVID-19 Task Force to come to the UMMI Hospital. In addition, investigators also studied the impact of the hospital's false statements a little.

"I am here to explain again the duties and functions of the Task Force and why the Task Force came there because it is the task of this Task Force to ensure that health protocols must be adhered to and also from the investigators to explore the noise arising from incorrect information submitted by the hospital " he said.

In this case, Bareskrim Polri named three suspects, including Rizieq Shihab, Hanif Alatas, and President Director (Managing Director) of Ummi Hospital, dr. Andi Tatat.

They are named as suspects based on their case titles. The investigators assess that they have committed a criminal act so that their status is upgraded from witness to suspect.

With the determination of these suspects, they were charged with Article 14 paragraphs 1 and 2 of Law number 4 of 1984 concerning Disease Outbreaks, Article 216 of the Criminal Code, and Articles 14 and 15 of Law number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations.