Surabaya District Court Judge Frees Ronald Tannur, Commission III: Even Though Violence Videos Have Spread

The defendant Gregorius Ronald Tannur (right) after undergoing a trial with a verdict agenda at the Surabaya District Court, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (ANTARA PHOTO-Didik Suhartono)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is furious with the decision of the Surabaya District Court judge who acquitted the son of a former member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Gregorius Ronald Tannur, of the case of persecution that left his girlfriend, Dini Sera Afrianti, dead. Commission III of the DPR RI stated that it was ready to oversee the continuation of the legal process of the Dini case.

"Obviously, this decision is difficult to accept and betray legal justice in Indonesia," said Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives Prince Khairul Saleh, Monday, July 29.

In his ruling, the chairman of the panel of judges at the Surabaya District Court, Erintuah Damanik, said that Ronald was considered not to have been proven guilty of a crime as charged by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) Ahmad Muzakki. Both in Article 338 of the Criminal Code or Article 351 paragraph (3) of the Criminal Code and the third Article 359 of the Criminal Code and 351 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

The judge assessed that Ronald's statement that he was still trying to provide assistance to the victim at a critical time by taking him to the hospital was the main reason to release Ronald. According to the Prince, the consideration cannot be justification of Ronald's actions that persecuted Dini to the point of making the victim dead.

"The judge should be much wiser and consider many things from the available evidence, letting sick people suffer from crimes let alone loss of life. Even though the evidence of violence perpetrated by the perpetrators is clear, even known by the wider community through the video that is spread," he said.

"In this case, public trust will fade against the law enforcement system in Indonesia, but I appreciate the Attorney General's Office for carrying out Cassation," Prince continued.

Pangeran mendorong Komisi Yudisial (KY) melakukan tindakan tegas guna menjaga keadilan dan integritas sistem hukum di Indonesia. Pangeran juga meminta KY untuk medentifikasi dan melakukan audit internal terhadap hakim yang terlibat dalam keputusan tersebut.

"Check the judges and related parties in this decision because there are indications of a legal game looking at the perpetrator's acquittal, which in our opinion is very unreasonable," he said.

The judges who acquitted Ronald Tannur were Erintuah Damanik, Mangapul and Heru Hanindyo. The Dini family has also visited KY to report the judge who acquitted Ronald in the case of Dini's death.

"The Judicial Commission must be able to maintain the dignity and honor of the court. Enforce the code of ethics and firm action if it is proven that there is a violation. KY contributes to creating a fair and reliable justice system for the community," said Pangeran.

He added, do not let the odd decision for Ronald make public trust lower and the legal stigma can be 'purchased' into the truth. If needed, according to Prince, the KPK is also involved in investigating the case.

"If necessary, the KPK can also intervene to investigate whether there is gratification against the decision taken by the judge. We also need to check the track record of the judge in charge," he said.

It is known that Judge Erintuah Damanik did not once make a controversial decision like this. Previously, he had cut off barriers or unlawfully against the case from Lily Yunita on charges of money laundering of Rp. 47.1 billion related to a land area of 9.8 hectares in Osowilangon Surabaya.

Then Erintuah also acquitted the former Regent of Central Tapanuli Sukran Jamilan Tanjung regarding the fraud case against a businessman named Yosua Marudut Tua Habeahan worth IDR 450 million.

Ronald's case of abuse also hurt many women's hearts in Indonesia. What Ronald did was considered to be degrading the self-esteem of a woman and making women like subjects as weak creatures.

"So this is not only a matter of injustice in the law, but also a matter of morals in which women are treated so heinously and carelessly like that. Once again, justice for law enforcement in the Dini case must be clear," said Prince.

Commission III of the DPR RI also emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of victims in the legal process. The government must ensure that the rights of victims and their families are respected and fulfilled at every stage of the process.

Fair and firm law enforcement is said to show commitment in indiscriminate law enforcement, including in cases involving individuals with certain backgrounds or influences.

Commission III of the DPR in charge of legal affairs will also oversee the continuation of the legal process for the Dini death case. In addition to being ready to oversee reports in KY and the cassation process in that case, Commission III of the DPR this afternoon will receive an audience from the Dini family.

"Commission III of the DPR will also listen to explanations from other related parties, including the courts, prosecutors, LBH, and other elements of society who feel there is injustice in this case," he explained.

As a result of the controversial judge's decision by releasing Ronald Tannur, a number of community movements emerged. Either directly, or on social media.

Today, hundreds of people raided the Surabaya District Court by shouting #JusticeforDiniSera's demands. They also sprinkled flowers in front of the Surabaya District Court a sign of the death of justice.

Together we will oversee this case to ensure that the law is enforced fairly and transparently. Law enforcers must also be able to prove to the people that the law in Indonesia is not sharp downwards and blunt upwards," concluded Prince.