To Be Balanced, The Prosecutor Asked Only 6 Rizieq Shihab's Lawyers To Enter The Courtroom

JAKARTA - The Public Prosecutor (JPU) asked the panel of judges to allow only 6 Rizieq Shihab's lawyers to be allowed into the courtroom. The reason is so that the number of prosecutors and lawyers is balanced.

"Maybe it needs to be emphasized again for the trial on Friday, is the number of legal advisors and public prosecutors like this? If we have 6, there are 7 legal advisors", said the prosecutor at the trial at the East Jakarta District Court, Tuesday, March 23.

"If we ask for a balance, prosecutor 6, legal advisor 6," continued the prosecutor.

Responding to the prosecutor's request, the presiding judge Suparman Nyompa agreed. The reason is to prevent violations of health protocols.

Later in the follow-up trial, only 7 lawyers from Rizieq Shihab will be allowed into the courtroom. While others are not allowed.

"So we keep our distance because the volume of this room has this capability, yes, seven can no longer pass", said Suparman.

"If you want less than 7 you can, you want 5, please. But not more than 7 because you have to keep your distance if you are too attached, it violates health protocols", he continued.

Previously, the panel of judges at the East Jakarta District Court decided to grant Rizieq Shihab's request to appear in person at the trial for the alleged violation of the health protocol in Petamburan.

So, Rizieq will later read out the objection or exception note in person at the next trial on Friday, March 26.

"Granted the petition (present offline)", said the presiding judge Suparman Nyompa.

Then, Suparman also revoked the determination of the online trial as stated in letter number 221.PidSus/2021.

Thus, the public prosecutor (JPU) has the obligation to present Rizieq Shihab at the East Jakarta District Court in every trial.

Rizieq Shihab was charged with incitement to the appearance of a crowd at his daughter's wedding as well as commemorating the Prophet's birthday in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. This crowd is taking place in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

"Doing, who orders to do and who participates in doing actions in public orally or in writing incites to commit a criminal act of health quarantine as referred to in Article 93 of Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Canteen, committing violence against public authorities or disobeying both the provisions of the Law and a position order given is based on the provisions of the law”, said the prosecutor reading the indictment.

According to prosecutors, Rizieq Shihab and Haris Ubaidillah, Ahmad Sabri Lubis, Ali Alwi Alatas, Idrus alias Idrus Al Habsyi and Maman Suryadi, incited incitement to the emergence of a crowd in Petamburan.