Polda Metro Affirms Pocket Permit To Confiscate Aiman Witjaksono's Cellphone From The South Jakarta District Court

Aiman Witjaksono (center)/DOK PHOTO: Abdul Aziz Masindo-VOI

JAKARTA - National Winning Spokesperson (TPN) Ganjar-Mahfud MD, Aiman Witjaksono, has questioned the confiscation of cellphones in handling cases of alleged 'neutral police' spreading false news. Responding to this, Polda Metro Jaya stated that it had obtained a permit two days before the confiscation.

"Investigators have submitted a request for a confiscation permit to the Chairman of the South Jakarta District Court to carry out the confiscation. And on the 24th, a confiscation permit from the South Jakarta District Court has been issued," said Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Metro Jaya Police Kombes Ade Safri Simanjuntak to reporters, Friday, February 2.

"And on the 26th that became the basis for investigators to confiscate AW's brother's cellphone," he continued.

The existence of a confiscation permit from the court is in accordance with the rules contained in Article 38 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code. So, said Ade, investigators have worked according to applicable procedures.

During the confiscation, not only cellphones were secured. Investigators also secured Instagram accounts and emails to be used as evidence.

"Yes, that's right (configuring Instagram accounts and emails) yes. Our investigative material cannot convey," he said.

Kombes Ade also responded to Aiman Witjaksono's move to file a pretrial lawsuit next week. According to him, it is the right of every citizen in dealing with a criminal act.

"Yes, welcome, that is Pak AW's constitutional right, and we investigators are ready to be held accountable," said Ade.

For information, Aiman had complained to the Press Council, Kompolnas, and the Indonesian Ombudsman. The spokesman for the Ganjar-Mahfud TPN asked for protection after his cellphone was confiscated by Polda Metro Jaya investigators.

Most recently, Aiman complained about investigators from Polda Metro Jaya, including Kombes Ade Safri Simanjuntak as Director of Special Criminal Investigation to Propam Polri.