Dito Mahendra Asks To Be Released From All Indictments

The defendant had the possession of Dito Mahendra's firearm after submitting a memorandum of defense at the South Jakarta District Court, Thursday (28/3/2024). BETWEEN/Khaerul Izan

JAKARTA - The defendant in possession of Dito Mahendra's firearm asked the panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court to release him from all charges because the weapons he owns are collections.

"I like to collect weapons. And I am a member of Perbakin," said Dito when reading the plea or memorandum of defense at the South Jakarta District Court (PN), reported by ANTARA, Thursday, March 28.

Therefore, Dito asked the panel of judges to decide fairly, especially during the trial he admitted to being cooperative.

"On this occasion I convey to the panel of judges, in order to decide as fairly as possible to me on my own consideration that not a single act of trouble over my control over firearms," he said.

Dito Mahendra's attorney, Boris Tampubolon when reading Dito's pledoi said that the law was not made to find fault, while this case was clear that investigators came to collect weapons stored in a special room without a valid assignment letter.

In addition, the application of the Emergency Law to his client is also inappropriate. Because the Emergency Law was intended to dispel the rebellion that occurred in 1951.

In fact, the defendant's possession of the weapon was not for rebellion, not for treason and not as a supplier to criminal organizations.

"The defendant controlled the weapon because he was a hobby of shooting because he was clearly a member of Perbakin and also a collector and never used weapons in public places," he said.

Boris asked the panel of judges to be able to release his client from all charges and demands of the Public Prosecutor (JPU).

The prosecutor charged the defendant Dito Mahendra with imprisonment for one year for violating Article 1 paragraph 1 of the Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951 concerning possession of weapons in accordance with the indictment.

"The defendant Mahendra Dito Sampurno was sentenced to one year in prison, reduced while the defendant was in temporary prison with an order that the defendant remains detained," said the prosecutor when reading the charges at the South Jakarta District Court, Tuesday (26/3).

The prosecutor asked the panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court to try the case by deciding that the defendant Dito Mahendra was guilty of possessing an illegal firearm.

The prosecutor asked the panel to apply Article 1 paragraph 1 of the Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951 concerning gun ownership according to the indictment that had been filed.

In addition, the Public Prosecutor considered things that were burdensome to the defendant Dito Mahendra because the defendant's actions were troubling the community.