South Jakarta District Court: The Session Is Closed When Putri Candrawati Is Clear About Allegations Of Harassment

Putri Candrawathi, a defendant in the premeditated murder case of Nopriansyah Yosua Hutabarat alias Brigadier J at the South Jakarta District Court. (Between-Akbar Nugroho Gumay)

The panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel) decided that the trial of the alleged murder of Nopriansyah Yosua Hutabarat alias Brigadier J with the agenda of hearing the testimony of witness Putri Candrawathi would be held behind closed doors. However, only during the alleged sexual harassment section.

The decision began when the presiding judge Wahyu Iman Santoso followed up on the request of the Putri advisory team regarding this matter by asking for the opinion of the public prosecutor (JPU).

"I ask for the public prosecutor's response regarding the request for legal counsel for the trial to take place behind closed doors," said Judge Wahyu during a trial at the South Jakarta District Court, Monday, December 12.

"We reject the trial to be closed because this is not a matter of decency and children. Then in the Supreme Court's guidelines, there is no order to close the trial of the suspect witness who is not a criminal act of decency," replied the prosecutor.

Then, the panel of judges negotiated first. In fact, Putri Candrawathi was also appointed regarding the trial.

"Are you burdened by the trial openly in the context of immoral acts?" asked the judge.

"Yes, Your Honor, if you wish, the trial will be closed," said Putri.

Until finally, the presiding judge Wahyu decided to hold a closed trial with the agenda of Putri Candrawathi's testimony. However, only when it comes to immoral materials.

"The assembly decided that the trial was declared closed only limited to immoral content. The rest, we will declare it open, we will agree, when it has touched immoral content to visitors when the panel of judges declares that the trial is closed, please leave the courtroom, not one person except for legal counsel, defendants and prosecutors," said Judge Wahyu.

Originally, the request for the closed trial was submitted by the advisory team Putri Candrawathi on December 6. The reason was that the trial would discuss the alleged sexual harassment.

"We submitted a request to His Excellency the panel of judges and we followed up on December 6 regarding the request, so that the examination of Mrs. Putri as a witness and the defendant can be carried out in private, Your Majesty. Because it involves acts of sexual violence," said Putri Candrawati's legal adviser, Arman Hanis.

Putri Candrawathi was presented as a witness for the defendants Bharada Richard Elieze, Bripka Ricky Rizal, and Strong Ma'ruf.

Meanwhile, the three of them in this case were charged with helping and supporting Ferdy Sambo's plans.

Thus, they are strongly suspected of violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code, subsidiary to Article 338 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 to (1) of the Criminal Code.