Police Make Sure Doctor Lois Owen's Case Is Still Processed Even If Not Detained

Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police, Komjen Agus Andrianto (Photo: Police Public Relations documentation)

JAKARTA - The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police has decided not to detain Doctor Lois Owien for the alleged case of spreading false news or hoaxes about COVID-19. However, he emphasized that the criminal law process is still ongoing. "(The case) is still being processed," said the Indonesian National Police's Chief Criminal Investigation Officer, Komjen Agus Andrianto, to reporters, Tuesday, July 13. So, not being detained does not mean that the investigation of the case is stopped. "(The status of the suspect) is in accordance with the article that is suspected of being concerned," he stressed. Previously, the Director of Cyber Crimes at the Indonesian National Police, Brigadier General Slamet Uliandi, decided not to detain Lois Owien. The reason is that he was cooperative during the investigation process. "The person concerned has agreed not to run away. Therefore, I decided not to detain the person concerned, this is also in accordance with the Polri concept towards fair precision," said Slamet.

Lois Owien was arrested by the Polda Metro Jaya on Sunday, July 11, at around 16.00 WIB. He has also been named as a suspect in spreading false news or hoaxes. The arrest is the aftermath of his statement that the patient or community who died were not caused by the COVID-19 virus. Instead, because of excessive drug interactions. In addition, he also said the drugs used for COVID-19 patients cause complications in the body. In this case, Lois Owien is suspected of Article 28 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 45A paragraph (2) Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions and/or Article 14 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 1946 and/or Article 14 paragraph (2) of the Law Number 1 of 1946 and/or Article 14 paragraph (1) and Law Number 4 of 1984 and/or Article 15 of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations.