Waiting For Prosecutor's Demand In The UMMI Hospital Case, Where Rizieq Shihab Claims Never Caused Trouble

Rizieq Shihab (DOC. VOI/Irfan Meidianto)

JAKARTA - The East Jakarta District Court held a follow-up trial for the case of the results of the swab test at the Bogor UMMI Hospital. In the trial later, the prosecutor will read out the charges against the defendants, Rizieq Shihab, Hanif Alatas, and dr. Andi Tata.

"The trial of reading the demands by the public prosecutor on the case of the UMMI Hospital," said Public Relations of the East Jakarta District Court, Alex Adam Faisal in his statement, Thursday, June 3.

In this case, Rizieq was charged with spreading false news about his health condition that was exposed to COVID-19. Thus, he was charged with violating Article 14 paragraphs (1) and (2) as well as Article 15 of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning the Criminal Code Jo Article 55 paragraph 1 to 1 of the Criminal Code with a maximum threat of 10 years in prison.

During the trial process, Rizieq always stood his ground and never lied and caused trouble and unrest in the community. Because, while undergoing treatment at the UMMI Hospital, his condition was getting better, especially since no one had ever informed him that he was positive for COVID-19.

"At that time, 24 hours after I was treated at the UMMI Hospital, I experienced a very extraordinary change in condition which was very tired (so) disappeared," said Rizieq

"I said that we never lied. We felt what we felt because at that time there were no PCR results out," he continued.

In fact, regarding the unrest in the community, Rizieq actually mentioned the Bogor Mayor (Walkot) Bima Arya who actually triggered this to happen. The reason, Bima Arya said that he was being treated for COVID-19 positive.

"Because the Mayor of Bogor is shouting in the media, finally people know about it everywhere. So it means that hoax news is added to the boasting of the Mayor of Bogor in the media, finally adding to the unrest that occurs in the community," said Rizieq

In fact, Rizieq Shihab said he had an agreement with the UMMI Hospital. The contents are to keep his condition a secret when he is being treated.

The goal is to keep the condition and treatment a secret so that friends and family do not worry. So, they don't flock to visit him which will only have an impact on the crowd.

"When I entered the hospital I had an agreement with the hospital so that my treatment would be kept confidential because I was afraid that later (the public would find out). The hospital agreed," said Rizieq.

"And I am ready to follow the direction of the hospital, how long will I be treated regardless of the disease. But because the mayor of Bogor is shouting in the media, finally people know everywhere," said Rizieq.

It's just that, continued Rizieq, the Mayor of Bogor, Bima Arya, came to the UMMI Hospital while carrying the COVID-19 Task Force. They asked for medical records and wanted to do a PCR test on him.

So, it made him uncomfortable. Moreover, Bima Arya informed him of his whereabouts being treated.

For that reason, Rizieq decided to leave the UMMI Hospital. He prefers to undergo treatment at home.

"This makes my heart restless, uncomfortable. The panel of judges finally asked me for permission, then I just stay at home because there are private doctors at home," he said.