Agus Bentung's First Trial Closed, Lawyers Don't File Exceptions

I Wayan Agus Suartama, a defendant in a sexual harassment case, walked to a prisoner's car accompanied by his parents after the inaugural trial at the Mataram District Court, NTB, Thursday (16/1/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Mataram District Court (PN) held its first trial of a sexual harassment case with the defendant I Wayan Agus Suartama (IWAS) alias Agus Bentung behind closed doors, Thursday, January 16.

"Because this is a special crime, an immoral case, so he (the trial) is closed to the public, we convey information with his initials (IWAS)," said Mataram District Court Spokesperson Lalu Moh. Iramaya Sandi in a press conference at the Mataram District Court Media Center room, Thursday, January 16, was confiscated by Antara.

He said the court held Agus' first trial behind closed doors while still seeing the rights of the defendant as a person with disabilities.

"So, the Mataram District Court has made several preparations, including preparing the main courtroom, then preparing officers to accompany the person concerned (disabled persons). For facilities and infrastructure, the Mataram District Court is available for disabilities," said Sandi.

In addition, in a closed session chaired by the Chief Justice Mahendrasmara Purnamajati, there was also assistance from the Mataram City Social Service (Dinsos).

"For the legal advisors who attended, seven of them were from 19 people," he said.

From a series of trials, the public prosecutor (JPU) read out Agus' all charges before the panel of judges.

"So, the indictment has been read out and there is no objection or exception from the defendant's legal advisor," he said.

Because there was no exception submission, the trial continued on Thursday, January 23 with the agenda of proof from the public prosecutor.

"The evidence is planned to be presented by 5 witnesses from the public prosecutor. For the witnesses, we cannot convey anyone," he said.

In the indictment, the public prosecutor charged Agus with Article 6 letter A and/or letter C in conjunction with Article 15 paragraph (1) letter E of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence.