Rizieq Shihab Not Sentenced To Prison In The Megamendung Crowd Case, Sentenced To Pay A Fine Of Rp.20 Million

DOK / ANTARA./Rizieq Shihab at Megamendung, Bogor

JAKARTA - The defendant Rizieq Shihab was sentenced to a fine of Rp. 20 million, subsidiary to 5 months in prison for alleged violations of the health protocol (prokes) in Megamendung. This verdict is lighter than the demands of the public prosecutor (JPU).

"Imposing a fine of Rp. 20 million with a stipulation that if you cannot pay, you will be compensated for a 2-month sentence," said presiding judge Suparman Nyompa in court, Thursday, May 27.

In deciding the sanctions given to Rizieq, the panel of judges considered burdensome and mitigating matters.

For burdensome matters, Rizieq is considered not to support government programs to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, for relief, Rizieq is considered to be occupying his promise to ask his supporters not to come to trial. Rizieq is also considered a religious figure so that he can become an example for the community.

So with these various considerations, the panel of judges stated that Rizieq Shihab had legally violated the criminal act of violating the Health Quarantine Law. Because Rizieq did not apply the health protocol.

"The defendant Rizieq Shihab was legally proven and convincingly committed the first indictment of Article 93 paragraph 1 of the Law on Quarantine," said the judge.

Previously, Rizieq Shihab was charged with 10 months in prison for alleged crowds and violations of the health protocol (prokes) in Megamendung. Rizeq was also fined Rp. 50 million, a subsidiary of 3 months in prison.

In the charges, the prosecutor considered Rizieq Shihab guilty based on the results of the examination of witnesses and experts. Rizieq is considered to have obstructed the work of the COVID-19 Task Force.

The reason was that Rizieq ignored the decision of the Bogor Regency Covid-19 Task Force which did not give permission to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a mosque at the Markaz Syariah Agro-Cultural Islamic Boarding School.

As a result of the event which was attended by Rizieq, it caused a crowd of approximately 3,000 people. The crowd were Rizieq Shihab's sympathizers who intended to welcome him.

In fact, the mass of sympathizers gathered on almost all roads from the Gadog intersection in Bogor Regency to his Islamic boarding school.

In addition, Rizieq is also considered to have violated the Regent's Decree Number 443 1479 / Kpts / Per-UU / 2020 dated 27 October 2020 concerning the Fifth Extension of the Enforcement of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) Pre-Adaptation of New Habits Towards a Healthy, Safe and Productive Society.