The Session Still Held Online, Will Rizieq Shihab 'Escape' Again?

Rizieq Shihab's legal advisor team (Rizky Adytia / VOI)

JAKARTA - The East Jakarta District Court (PN) decided to continue to hold trials of the defendant Rizieq Shihab and high-ranking officials of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) online. Although, previously Rizieq Shihab and the lawyer asked for the trial to be carried out online until they finally walked out.

"The defendant is presented virtually or online. Not present in the courtroom of the East Jakarta District Court," said East Jakarta District Court Public Relations Officer Alex Adam Faisal in his statement, Thursday, March 18.

One of the reasons for the online trial decision is because until now it is still the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the online trial is to prevent the spread of the new corona virus from the crowd.

Responding to the statement, Rizieq Shihab's team of lawyers and former FPI officials, Aziz Yanuar, said that his party remained in its position. They asked that the trial be conducted online or presented it to the accused.

"Yes (still asking the defendant to be presented)," said Aziz.

In fact, when the trial continues online, it is not impossible that Rizieq and the lawyer will walk out again. This action is also likely to be repeated until the request is fulfilled.

"Stay (present the defendant) or have a trial with chairs, tables and walls," he continued.

But regarding this certainty, Aziz admitted that he could not comment much. He conveyed, everything that will happen in the trial will depend on the conditions and situations.

"We will see the conditions and situation of the trial later," said Aziz.

This possibility also refers to Rizieq Shihab's statement at the previous trial. He always asked the panel of judges to present him as a defendant in the courtroom.

"I want to be present in person in the courtroom, I ask to be presented not at the Police Headquarters room but in the East Jakarta District Court courtroom," said Rizieq.

Rizieq Shihab who was at the National Police Headquarters said that his presence in the courtroom was the defendant's right. Rizieq said that the health protocol cannot be used as an excuse for not being present in the courtroom.

"The trial is a national and international spotlight. I ask the panel of judges to cooperate for a quality and quality trial because it is witnessed by the international community," said Rizieq.

There is also an indictment trial that will be held on Friday, March 19, namely the alleged violation of the health protocol (prokes) in Petamburan and the UMMI Hospital swab test with the defendant Rizieq Shihab.

Then, the case of alleged violations of the prokes in Petamburan with the defendants Haris Ubaidillah, Ahmad Sabri Lubis, Ali Alwi Alatas bin Alwi Alatas, Idrus alias Idrus Al-Habsyi, and Maman Suryadi.

Finally, the case trial was related to the results of the swab test with the defendant Muhammad Hanif Alatas.