Why East Jakarta District Court Stopped Broadcasting Online Rizieq Session

Rizieq Shihab's trial (Source: YouTube screenshot)

JAKARTA - The East Jakarta District Court called the decision not to broadcast online all trials of defendant Rizieq Shihab with the agenda of witness examination because it refers to the Criminal Procedure Law (KUHAP).

In Article 159 paragraph 1 Criminal Procedure Law, the panel of judges is obliged to prevent witnesses from connecting or communicating related to the trial. Because it can change the testimony of the witnesses.

"We refer to Criminal Code. In that rule the presiding judge of the court examines whether all witnesses have been present and gives orders to prevent witnesses from having contact with each other before giving testimony in the trial," East Jakarta District Court Public Relations Alex Adam Faisal told VOI, Sunday, April 11.

Another reason for the decision, Alex said, was because online trials were not mandatory by the court. However, due to the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and preventing transmission, the strongest reason for the previous trial was conducted online.

"Online also has no obligation from the court sir, it's just for service to the community," he said.

Previously reported, the follow-up trial of the case involving Rizieq Shihab was not broadcasted live streaming or online. The reason is that the trial enters the witness examination stage.

"Because it has entered the stage of examination of witnesses the trial process is no longer broadcasted live streaming," said Alex.

For that reason, Alex said the trials that will be held on April 12 and 14 will be broadcasted offline. Therefore, people who want to know the proceedings are encouraged to watch it in the media.

The trial was held on Monday, April 12, the case of alleged crowding and violations of health protocols in Petamburan with defendants Rizieq Shihab and Hanif Alatas.

In the trial, the prosecutor planned to present 10 witnesses. Some of them are former Mayor of Central Jakarta Bayu Meghantara, Head of Transportation Department of DKI Syafrin Liputo, and former Central Jakarta Police Chief Grand Commissioner Heru Novianto.