East Java Police Confirms Arrest Of Activist Paul In Accordance With Legal Procedures

SURABAYA - East Java Regional Police (East Java Police) confirmed that the arrest of activist Muhammad Fakhrurrozi alias Paul had been carried out in accordance with applicable legal procedures and regulations.

"The arrest of Muhammad Fakhrurrozi alias Paul was carried out based on the Police Report Number LP/A/17/IX/2025/SPKT.SATRESKRIM/POLRES KEDIRI KOTA/POLDA JATIM, after going through a case title on September 26, 2025 which named him a suspect," said Head of Propam East Java Police Kombes Iman Setiawan as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 30.

Iman explained that the arrest was made by the team of the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the East Java Police on Saturday (27/9) at 15.00 WIB in Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region, witnessed by the head of the local RT and RW.

"Officers also showed arrest warrants and searches. So the procedure is clear and legal," added Imam.

After being secured, investigators contacted Paul's family via WhatsApp video call to his brother, Nurul Fahmi, who was in Batam.

"There is evidence of screenshots of conversations and video calls at 16.53 WIB as evidence that the family was notified," he said.

During the examination process, Paul was accompanied by legal advisers from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Surabaya, namely Habibus Shalihin and Fahmi Ardiyanto.

The examination was stopped at 00.35 WIB for a medical examination by the Bhayangkara Hospital Surabaya team and continued at 01.00 WIB.

"So we also provide legal assistance and health checks," said Imam.

The status of the suspect Paul was also immediately conveyed to his younger brother, Al Hilal Muzakkir, who was present at the East Java Regional Police Headquarters, accompanied by a receipt of a notification.

In addition to Paul's case, Bidpropam also denied the issue of torture, sexual violence, and the obstruction of access to the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) in securing demonstrations in Surabaya, at the end of August 2025.

"Based on the investigation, there is no evidence of torture or alleged violations. Police members have acted according to the SOP," he said.

During August 29, 2025, the Surabaya Polrestabes secured 320 people, consisting of 121 adults and 199 boys. A total of 282 were sent home and 38 were named suspects.

Of these, 31 people were handled by the Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim), while seven people were transferred to the Narcotics Investigation Unit (Satresnarkoba), with articles ranging from Article 406 to Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951.

The process of repatriating hundreds of demonstrators was not proven to be open, witnessed by the Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elestianto Dardak, his family, and LBH.

"This proves that family and LBH access remain open. There is no closure of access as reported. In fact, all processes are carried out transparently," he said.

The East Java Regional Police emphasized its commitment to internal supervision and public control by media and legal institutions as a form of transparency and accountability.

"We also provide full access to the media and LBH as a form of check and balance. This is important to maintain public trust," he said.