Flashback Of Rizieq Shihab's Trial In Ummi Hospital Swab Test Case: Offer Of Clemency And Crowd Supporters Chaos

Illustration - Rizieq Shihab's Prosecution Session (Photo: Screenshot of Rizieq Shihab's trial)

JAKARTA - The judge sentenced Rizieq Shihab to four years in prison in the case of the results of a swab test at the UMMI Hospital. The verdict has not been finalized or has permanent legal force because Rizieq has filed an appeal.

Regardless of the outcome of the trial, several things emerged that colored the trial process. Starting from the panel of judges who offered pardons or clemency from the President to the mass riots supporting Rizieq Shihab.

For the clemency offer, it started when the panel of judges finished reading the verdict that sentenced Rizieq to prison for four years.

Then, the judge offered to offer three things in response to the verdict. First, accept or reject by filing an appeal.

Second, Rizieq is asked to think first to determine his attitude towards the decision with a grace period of seven days. Finally, a request for pardon or clemency to President Jokowi.

However, Rizieq firmly refused and chose to appeal the four-year prison sentence.

"There are several things that I cannot accept. Among them are prosecutors who present forensic experts even though in this court forensic expert witnesses are never present. Second, I object to the panel of judges no longer using authentic results in the application of Article 14 paragraph (1) of the Law. Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 1946,"

"I hereby reject the decision of the panel of judges and I declare an appeal," said Rizieq during the trial, Thursday, June 24.

Similarly, Rizieq's team of lawyers, represented by Sugito Atmo Prawiro, also stated that they rejected the judge's decision. They did not accept that their client was sentenced to imprisonment.

"Our legal advisors will also appeal the decision," said Sugito.

After the trial, one of Rizieq's lawyers, Aziz Yanuar, admitted that he was surprised by the clemency offer. According to him, the offer was the first time he had heard during his time as a lawyer in a case whose verdict was four years in prison.

"It should be noted that this is interesting when there is a panel of judges in a case which is said to be a prosecuting and criminal case but there is an attachment asking for clemency from the president," said Aziz.

However, Aziz was reluctant to comment much on this matter. He said the issue of the offer of clemency requests to Jokowi would be responded to by legal experts.

"Let the legal experts comment whether this is common or not. But we are also surprised, but Habib and the defendants have decided to appeal," said Aziz.

Another lawyer for Rizieq, Achmad Michdar, said that the offer of clemency was very unreasonable. This is because the law only gives a grace period of seven days to respond to the judge's decision.

"It is impossible for clemency to the President for one week. Can you imagine in one week if there is no other decision they will be detained. How is that possible? Is it possible to apply for clemency to the president in a week?" said Michdar.

For that reason, Rizieq and his team of lawyers prefer to file an appeal. Thus, it is still possible that their hopes for Rizieq to be free can be fulfilled.

"The consequence is that he will still be detained (if he applies for clemency). But if he declares an appeal, the case will not automatically have legal force," said Michdar.

Crowd Clashes with Police

On the other hand, the trial process was colored by the masses who were involved in clashes with the police.

The mob and the police pushed each other at the Pondok Kopi Flyover. In fact, the supporters of Rizieq Shihab kicked the police on guard.

The police also had time to respond to Rizieq Shihab's mob. They spray water with water cannon

East Jakarta Metro Police Chief Grand Commissioner Erwin Kurniawan said one of the triggers for the clashes was because a mass of Rizieq's supporters threw a vehicle belonging to a member of the National Police.

Actually, there was a member's vehicle that was put into the river by the protesters, causing a bit of chaos," said Erwin.

However, the clashes can be stopped. The police tried to coordinate with the coordinator of the mass supporters of Rizieq Shihab.

The masses, continued Erwin, asked to be in front of the East Jakarta District Court. But for reasons of implementing health protocols (prokes) this wish could not be fulfilled.

"Of course, it must be understood that maintaining a distance so that there are no crowds is the main thing to keep people from being exposed to COVID-19, which is the main basis," said Erwin.