Charged With Killing South Kalimantan Banjarbaru Journalists, Indonesian Navy Soldiers Don't File Exceptions

The inaugural trial of the murder of a journalist from Banjarbaru, Juwita (23) with the accused TNI AL Classi Satu (KLS) soldier Jumran was held at the Military Court (Dilmil) I-06 Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan (Kalsel), Monday 5 May.

Head of Odmil III-15 Banjarmasin Lt. Col. CHK Sunandi read out an indictment containing criminal charges against the defendant.

"That the defendant in carrying out his actions fulfills the elements of the primary criminal act of Article 340 of the Criminal Code, subsidiary to Article 338 of the Criminal Code," said Lt. Col. Sunandi when reading the indictment, confiscated by Antara.

After reading the indictment, the panel of judges led by Lt. Col. CHK Arie F asked and invited the defendant on behalf of Jumran to coordinate with legal advisors to provide exceptions.

Before coordinating with legal counsel, the defendant stated that he understood the indictment.

The defendant, who was represented by legal counsel, stated that he did not file an exception to the indictment read out by the Head of Odmil Banjarmasin.

After reading the indictment, Odmil Banjarmasin presented 11 witnesses to be examined at the trial to provide information before the panel of judges regarding the murder case by the Indonesian Navy.

Until now, the panel of judges and legal advisors of the defendant is still examining, asking for, and exploring the statements of witnesses in order to make this case clearer until the verdict later.

It is known, the victim named Juwita (23) works as a media journalist on a local network (online) in Banjarbaru and has pocketed a journalist competency test (UKW) with the qualifications of young journalists.

The murder took place on March 22, 2025. The young journalist was found dead on Jalan Trans Gunung Kupang, Cempaka Village, Cempaka District, Banjarbaru City, on Saturday (22/3) at around 15.00 WITA.

His body lay on the side of the road with his motorbike which then appeared to be a single accident victim.

Residents who found it for the first time did not see any signs of the victim having a traffic accident. In the neck of the victim there were a number of bruises, and the victim's relatives also said that Juwita's cellphone was not found at the location.