Rizieq Shihab Prays During The Trial, After Which He Remains Silent Without Responding To The Indictment

Rizieq Shihab

JAKARTA - Habib Rizieq Shihab was reluctant to comment on the charges regarding the alleged spread of fake news about the swab test at the UMMI Hospital, Bogor, West Java. Rizieq Shihab did not want to speak when the judge gave him the opportunity to submit his objection or exception to this case.

"Did the defendant understand that? You did not answer," said Chief Judge Khadwanto, Jakarta, Friday, March 19.

"Will the defendant file an objection or an exception against the indictment?" Said the judge asking.

However, there was no answer from Rizieq Shihab. The judge also asked the prosecutor at the Police Criminal Investigation Unit to bring the microphone closer to Rizieq Shihab. However, when the camera was focused on Rizieq Shihab, he was seen praying.

"If you're praying, wait until it's finished," said the judge.

After Rizieq finished praying, the judge again asked about Rizieq's response. However, Rizieq remained silent. After the prayer, Rizieq was seen immediately reciting the Koran.

"Good if there is no response then Friday, March 26, the trial will be continued by presenting witnesses. The trial is closed," said the judge.

Rizieq Shihab was charged with spreading fake news or hoaxes that caused confusion. This false news is related to his health condition which was confirmed positive for COVID-19 while at UMMI Hospital in Bogor, West Java.

"Doing, who ordered to do, and who participated in the act, by broadcasting false news or reports, deliberately publishing disturbances among the people," said the prosecutor reading out the indictments in the trial at the East Jakarta District Court, Friday, March 19.

In addition, Rizieq Shihab was charged with obstructing the Bogor City COVID-19 Task Force, West Java. Prosecutors said Rizieq Shihab lied to claim he was healthy even though it was COVID-19.

The prosecutor explained, on November 28, 2020 Rizieq Shihab left the Bogor UMMI Hospital and made a statement.

"With this I do not allow anyone to disclose information about my medical examination results and the results of the swab," said the prosecutor quoting Rizieq Shihab's statement when reading the indictment.

Rizieq Shihab's statement letter was made November 28 with a stamp of Rp. 6,000. Rizieq Shihab's statement was sent to the Bogor Health Office with the aim that the Bogor Health Office and the Bogor City COVID-19 Task Force would not ask for Rizieq Shihab's PCR test results.

"As a result of the defendant's act of filling out the general consent form on November 24, 2020 and making a statement letter, basically not wanting to provide information regarding the result of the examination of the defendant who was positive for COVID-19, was an act of deliberately blocking the implementation of the epidemic prevention in which the Bogor City COVID-19 task force and the Health Office. Bogor was unable to carry out one of its duties in the context of overcoming the COVID-19 outbreak, one of the ways is by using the tracing method with whom the defendant had previously contacted, "said the prosecutor.