Awaiting The Verdict Of The Rizieq Shihab Trial In The Case Of The Results Of The UMMI Hospital Which Was Likely To Be Escorted By Sympathizers

JAKARTA - The East Jakarta District Court will hold a hearing on the verdict of the UMMI Hospital swab case with the defendants Rizieq Shihab, Hanif Alatas, and Andi Tatat on Thursday, June 24. In the trial, Rizieq's sympathizers will likely 'escort' directly.

"Yes, the trials for cases 223, 224, and 225 were carried out today with a verdict or verdict on the agenda", said East Jakarta District Court Public Relations Officer, Alex Adam Faisal, in his statement, Thursday, June 24.

In this case, Rizieq and two other defendants were charged with spreading false news. They were said to have conveyed Rizieq's condition, who at that time was exposed to COVID-19, by stating that he was in good health.

This case began when Rizieq was treated for reactive COVID-19 at the UMMI Hospital, shortly after returning to Indonesia on November 10, 2020.

At that time, Rizieq complained that he was not feeling well and had his health checked by the medical team from MER-C. However, after an antigen swab test, it turned out that Rizieq was confirmed to be reactive for COVID-19. So, he was referred for treatment at Ummi Hospital, Bogor City.

While undergoing this treatment, Rizieq asked his son-in-law to tell him that his condition was fine. Because people already know that Rizieq is being treated at the UMMI Hospital.

With this statement, the Public Prosecutor assessed that the defendants participated in broadcasting false news and covering up the results of the COVID-19 swab test.

Thus, they were charged with Article 14 paragraph (1) of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning the Criminal Law Regulation in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

In addition, they were charged with participating in obstructing the efforts of the Bogor City COVID-19 Task Force as stated in Article 216 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

With this charge, Rizieq Shihab was sentenced to six years in prison. Meanwhile, Hanif Alatas and Andi Tatat were sentenced to two years in prison.

Rizieq sympathizers escort the trial

On the other hand, it is widely heard that Rizieq Shihab's supporters and sympathizers will come directly to the East Jakarta District Court. Their arrival was the result of the prosecutor's statement that Rizieq's high priest status was just a figment.

This statement was made by the prosecutor because during the trial Rizieq always blasphemed and said harsh words. However, Rizieq's supporters and sympathizers consider this statement a challenge.

Responding to the arrival of Rizieq's supporters and sympathizers, the Alumni Association (PA) 212 said it did not have the authority to detain the masses.

"We certainly cannot and do not have the authority to stop the enthusiasm of the lover of the High Imam Habib Rizieq Shihab", said Deputy Secretary-General of PA 212, Novel Bamukmin.

Novel said it was entirely up to Rizieq's supporters to respond to the prosecutor's statement. So, it does not prohibit if it will be present at the East Jakarta District Court.

"Thus, we PA 212 hand over to Muslims, especially IB HRS lovers, to respond to the provocations made by the prosecutors", said Novel.

"Everything just flows, but the masses who can attend later are of course the masses from anywhere, including from cross-religious, cross-ethnic, racial, and any group", he continued.

On the other hand, Novel emphasized that he would still oversee the trial process of the case. But still in a way that is constitutional and obeys health protocols.

"We PA 212 will, of course, continue to oversee the trial of the Imam Habib Rizieq Shihab case until it is completed and during the trial, we will obey the procedures and procedures", he said.

Meanwhile, the TNI-Police is already on standby to secure the trial process. A total of 2,800 joint personnel will be deployed at the East Jakarta Court

"The total number of personnel is 2,800 combined TNI-Police personnel", said the Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Yusri Yunus.

In the deployment of personnel, continued Yusri, there were no additions like the previous security scheme. Although, it is widely heard that Rizieq's supporters will attend the East Jakarta District Court.

"The security is the same as yesterday", said Yusri.

Adding that East Jakarta Police Chief, Kombes Erwin Kurniawan, said his party would appeal to the masses of Rizieq's supporters not to come to court and stay at home. This is certainly not without reason.

According to him, the reason is the very high spread of COVID-19 in Jakarta. The presence of Rizieq's supporters will cause a crowd.

"We hope that the public will take into account the situation in Jakarta, which is not doing well because many have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, as much as possible to avoid gathering or crowding, especially with people we do not know are carrying the COVID-19 virus", Erwin said.