Guidance Or Violence? Expert Witnesses Express Limits Violated In The Death Of Prada Lucky

The follow-up trial of the Prada Lucky case at the Kupang Military Court III-15 East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Tuesday (18/11/2025) (ANTARA/Anwar Maga)

KUPANG - military criminal expert witness Deddy Manafe explained the pattern of training relationship between superiors and subordinates within the TNI when presented at the follow-up trial of the death of Prada Lucky Namo at the Kupang Military Court III-15, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), today.

The trial with the agenda of examining witnesses presented 17 defendants who were combined in one case file.

The trial was chaired by Major Chk Subiyanto as chairman of the panel of judges, accompanied by two member judges, Captain Chk Denis C. Napitupulu and Captain Chk Zainal Arifin A. Yulianto.

From the Military Oditur, Lt. Col. Chk Alex Pandjaitan and Lt. Col. Chk Yudis Harto were present, while the defendants were accompanied by legal counsel Major Chk Gatot Subur and First Lieutenant Chk Benny Suhendra Las Baun.

Deddy explained that the relationship between superiors and subordinates within the TNI has very clear authority limits in accordance with the TNI Law and the Military Disciplinary Law.

Superiors, he said, not only lead but also are obliged to foster personnel, ensure legal compliance, and maintain the welfare of members without acting arbitrarily.

"The development of personnel must be based on the principle of benefit. The punishment of push-ups or running is certainly beneficial for the physical members, but it cannot be interpreted as an act of violence, let alone to the point of loss of life," he said in a trial that was also witnessed by Prada Lucky's parents and relatives quoted from Antara, Tuesday, November 18.

He emphasized that there is a firm difference between hard coaching and acts of violence. According to him, superiors do have the right and authority to punish subordinates in the context of coaching, but abuse of authority such as persecution and torture cannot be justified.

"The relationship between superiors and subordinates is clear. Superiors have the authority, but there are limits that cannot be exceeded. Guidance must be in the corridor of law," said Deddy when answering questions from the defendant's legal adviser.

A similar explanation was previously conveyed during the witness examination trial for the defendant First Lieutenant Inf Ahmad Faisal, Company A Commander who is Prada Lucky's direct supervisor, on Monday (17/11/2025).

The case of alleged serious abuse that led to the death of Prada Lucky Namo involved 22 defendants in three Minutes of Investigation (BAP): one BAP for a defendant, one BAP for 17 defendants, and one BAP for four defendants. The follow-up trial is scheduled to take place Wednesday (19/11) with the agenda of examining witnesses for the files of the four defendants.

Prada Lucky dianiaya seniornya di Batalyon Teritorial Pembangunan 834/Waka Nga Mere, Kabupaten Nagekeo, NTT, pada 27 Juli 2025. Ia sempat dirawat di puskesmas lalu dirujuk ke rumah sakit sebelum meninggal pada 6 Agustus 2025.

Pola pembinaan keras yang berujung kematian itu disebut berkaitan dengan dugaan penyimpangan seksual (LGBT) yang melibatkan Prada Lucky, namun dugaan tersebut belum didukung bukti otentik.

Prada Lucky was persecuted by his senior at the Development Territorial Battalion 834/Waka Nga Mere, Nagekeo Regency, NTT, on July 27, 2025. He was treated at the puskesmas and then referred to the hospital before he died on August 6, 2025.

The pattern of hard coaching that led to death was said to be related to allegations of sexual deviation (LGBT) involving Prada Lucky, but the allegation has not been supported by authentic evidence.