Three Prosecutors Attend First Trial of Korean Citizen Kidnapping Case

JAKARTA - Three prosecutors in the Banten High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati) began their first trial for alleged extortion of Rp2 billion against two foreign nationals (WNA) from South Korea related to handling the Information and Electronic Transaction Law (ITE) case at the Corruption Crime Court (Tipikor) at the Serang District Court (PN).

The three prosecutors are Redy Zulkarnain, Rivaldo Valini, and Herdian Malda Ksastria. They underwent the first trial with the agenda of reading the indictment.

In addition to the three prosecutors, two other defendants were also tried in this case, namely Maria Sisca as a translator and Didik Feriyanto as a legal advisor.

The five defendants were previously caught in the Operation Tangkap Tangan (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in December 2025.

The Public Prosecutor (JPU), Yopi Suhanda, in his indictment stated that the extortion case against the victims, Tirza Angelica and Chihoon Lee, occurred between February and November 2025. The defendants allegedly used the legal position of the two foreign nationals to reap personal benefits.

"The reported will be prosecuted and sentenced to a high penalty if they do not hand over the money in the handling of the alleged criminal case of the ITE Law," said Yopi in front of the panel of judges headed by Hasanudin.

The JPU explained that the defendant Redy openly threatened the victim with a heavy sentence. The prosecutor even said that the legal process in Indonesia could be regulated with money.

At the meeting in Karawaci, March 2025, Redy initially asked for Rp2 billion so that the two victims would be released. After negotiations due to the victims' objections, the figure dropped to Rp1 billion, with an additional Rp300 million if the judge decided to be free.

The victim then handed over a down payment of Rp700 million. The money was immediately distributed to Rivaldo Valini Rp100 million, Didik Feriyanto Rp50 million, and Maria Sisca Rp50 million, while the rest was controlled by Redy.

Apart from the down payment, the JPU explained a series of requests for additional funds in various stages, ranging from Rp. 150 million for the suspension of detention, Rp. 200 million under the pretext of a clerk, Rp. 700 million for the handling of the verdict, to Rp. 500 million for settlement of claims.

Cumulatively, Redy Zulkarnain reaped a profit of Rp725 million, Herdian Malda Ksastria Rp325 million, Rivaldo Valini Rp205 million, Didik Feriyanto Rp100 million and Maria Sisca Rp75 million.

However, during the examination process, a number of parties have returned part of the extortion money totaling Rp. 941 million. The money was returned to the victim on December 17, 2025.

For their actions, the five defendants were charged with Article 12 letter e in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Crime Law, in conjunction with Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with the latest Criminal Code (Law Number 1 of 2023), and the provisions for adjusting the crime in Law Number 1 of 2026.