Restorative Justice, Kejari Padang Frees Teenager Who Stealed His Best Friend's Cellphone

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Padang District Attorney, West Sumatra (West Sumatra) has stopped prosecuting a 21-year-old teenager who is a suspect in the case of stealing a friend's smartphone in December 2021.

The prosecution was terminated by the prosecutor's office on Thursday based on the Attorney General's Regulation No. 15 of 2020 concerning Termination of Prosecution Based on Restorative Justice.

"This is the first case at the Padang Kejari where the prosecution was stopped through restorative justice based on Prosecutor's Regulation No. 15 of 2020," said Padang District Attorney's Head Ranu Subroto, in Padang, Thursday, February 10, quoted from Antara.

With the prosecution discontinued by the prosecutor's office, Andre, who is a resident of Behind Olo, Kampung Jao Village, West Padang, was immediately released without having to undergo a trial in court.

"We ask Andre's brother to realize and regret his mistake, and no longer commit criminal acts in the future," said Ranu Subroto.

Meanwhile, Andre, who was accompanied by his family at the Padang Kejari Office, immediately bowed in gratitude and cried after receiving restorative justice from the Padang Kejari.

"Thanks to the Padang Kejari for freeing Andre, thank you to the victims who are willing to make peace and forgive me," he said.

He promised to take lessons from the case that had ensnared him, and promised not to repeat the crime again.

The chairman of the Minangkabau Natural Customary Density Institute (LKAAM) of West Sumatra, Fauzi Bahar Datuak Nan Sati, as a traditional figure who was invited to attend by the Padang Kejari, also expressed his deepest gratitude.

"We thank the Padang Kejari staff who have implemented restorative justice regulations, so that Andre does not need to undergo a criminal trial," he said.

Considering that the person concerned still has a long future, and has aspirations to be achieved as the next generation.

"This is a lesson for all of us, including us "Niniak Mamak" and traditional stakeholders. We hope that what the Padang Kejari has done is an example for all prosecutors in Indonesia," he said.

On the other hand, Ranu Subroto explained that Andre's case was the first case whose prosecution was stopped based on Prosecutor's Regulation No. 15 of 2020.

"In the future, it will continue to be carried out as long as it meets the requirements to be stopped, according to Per Attorney Number 15 of 2020," he said.

He explained several reasons for stopping the prosecution, namely that the suspect admitted and regretted his actions, and promised not to repeat his actions. Then between the suspect and the victim are also close friends where the suspect is considered a child by the victim's parents, the suspect and victim have also forgiven each other.

Another reason is that the suspect has committed a crime for the first time which in this case is charged with Article 362 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code, then the threat of a fine or imprisonment for the suspect is also not more than five years.

The submission of the decision to terminate the prosecution was also witnessed by the Head of the General Crimes Section, Budi Sastera, the Head of Intelligence at the Padang Attorney's Office, Roni Saputra, and others.

The prosecution can be discontinued by the Padang Kejari after obtaining approval from the Head of the West Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office.