Ferdinand Hutahaean Already A Suspect, Bareskrim Police Still Adding Expert Witness Examination

Spokesperson for the Public Relations Division of the National Police Kombes Hendra Rochmawan (Photo: Public Relations of the Police)

JAKARTA - Investigators from the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit of the National Police have again examined experts related to the hate speech case with the suspect Ferdinand Hutahaean. In total, 21 experts have been questioned.

"Yesterday, we also released that there were approximately 10 expert witnesses, these are 21 expert witnesses," said the spokesman for the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Kombes Hendra Rochmawan, to reporters, Tuesday, January 11.

In addition to examining experts, continued Hendra, in the series of investigations and investigations, he has asked for witness statements. So far, 17 people have been investigated in this case.

"We have examined 17 ordinary witnesses. These ordinary witnesses are to strengthen case investigations," he said.

On the previous occasion, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Police examined five additional experts in cases of alleged hate speech. So far, 15 witnesses and experts have been questioned by the police.

"Today's agenda is that investigators at the Cyber Bareskrim Polri will examine 5 more witnesses or 5 expert witnesses and are in the process. So by examining 5 (experts, ed) there are 15 witnesses. Consisting of 5 witnesses and 10 expert witnesses," said Karo Penmas Police Public Relations Division Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan.

The experts examined were experts from all religions. They were asked for their opinion on Ferdinand Hutahaean's tweet on his Twitter account.

"There are additional expert witnesses from several religions, yes, we just haven't been able to (name of expert, ed). Witnesses of Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism," said Ramadhan.

Ferdinand Hutahaean was named a suspect in a case of alleged hate speech with SARA nuances. In this case, Ferdinand Hutahaean was threatened with a prison sentence of 10 years.

Ferdinand Hutahaean was charged with multiple layers of articles, namely, Article 14 paragraph 1 and 2 of the criminal law regulation of Law number 1 of 1946 and then Article 45 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph (2) of the ITE Law.