Two Reasons Why Bahar Smith Was Detained By West Java Police

Bahar Smith/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - The National Police said there were two reasons why West Java Police investigators detained Bahar bin Smith and TR in the case of alleged hate speech. Starting from worrying about eliminating evidence to criminal threats of more than 5 years in prison.

"Based on subjective reasons and objective reasons," said Karo Penmas of the Public Relations Division of the National Police Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan to reporters, Tuesday, January 4.

For subjective reasons, investigators think Bahar bin Smith has the potential to eliminate evidence in the case. In fact, it can repeat actions that violate the rules.

"The subjective reason is that investigators are worried that BS and TR will repeat the crime and destroy evidence," said Ramadhan.

As for subjective reasons, continued Ramadhan, in this case the sanction in the article used was up to 5 years in prison. So, with those two reasons, Bahar bin Smith was decided to be detained.

"While the objective reason is the threat of punishment for the articles alleged to be above five years. So there are two reasons, the first is subjective and objective," said Ramadhan.

Bahar Smith has been named a suspect in the alleged hate speech case. In fact, Bahar was decided to be detained.

"His status was upgraded and he became a suspect," said Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Kombes Ibrahim Tompo.

The determination of this suspect, continued Ibrahim, after West Java Police investigators pocketed strong evidence of a criminal offense committed by Bahar bin Smith.

In addition, investigators also decided to arrest Bahar bin Smith. The detention was carried out after the lecturer was examined for 8 hours.

"The examination started at around 1 to 9 o'clock. He has been detained at the West Java Regional Police," said Ibrahim.

Bahar bin Smith is suspected of violating Article 14 Paragraph 1 and Article 15 paragraph 1 of the Basic Law Number 1 Year 46 in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code and Article 45A paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph 2 of the ITE Constitution Juncto Article 55 of the Criminal Code.