Judge's Gavel Stopping The Arguing Between Hotman Paris And The Prosecutor At Inspector General Teddy Minahasa's Trial

Witness Fathullah Adi Putra was presented by the prosecutor in a drug case trial with the defendant, the former West Sumatra Regional Police Chief Inspector General Teddy Minahasa on Thursday 16 February. (Screenshot of KompasTV)

JAKARTA - The public prosecutor (JPU) strongly protested against Hotman Paris as Inspector General Teddy Minahasa's attorney for repeatedly raising objections without asking witnesses.

The incident took place at the follow-up hearing in the drug distribution case with the defendant Teddy Minahasa, who is also the former West Sumatra Regional Police Chief Inspector General, today, Thursday, February 16.

The prosecutor initially asked about the information provided by witness Fathullah Adi Putra to investigators in this case. However, the witness had not finished answering. Hotman interrupted him by saying a protest sentence.

"Wait a moment. Before you are given your turn, wait," said the judge at the West Jakarta District Court (PN), Thursday, February 16, quoted from YouTube KompasTV.

However, Hotman continued to speak, ignoring the judge's warning. The prosecutor also asked the panel of judges to remind Hotman not to interfere with his turn to ask the witness.

"Note the objection. There is a time to speak, you shouldn't compete in speaking," said the judge to Hotman.

However, it wasn't long before the witness answered the prosecutor's question. Hotman again objected.

"Assembly, please card, please. We should be in order, please," said the prosecutor.

"I apologize, I really can't stand the prosecutor's behavior like this," said Hotman speaking into the microphone.

"If you can't stand it, please leave," replied the prosecutor.

Hotman replied again, but this time by not turning on the microphone.

"Knock!!" the sound of the judge's gavel vibrating in the courtroom's microphone mediated an argument between the prosecutor and Teddy Minahasa's team.

"The prosecutor, that's it," said Hotman again.

The judge, who ended the tension, said that there was no need to be so exaggerated in addressing the course of the trial in this drug trafficking case involving high-ranking National Police.

"Everyone can see this. In terms of position, and profession, you are role models in this country. Please remember. We in this trial want to reveal what is it. What are the facts," the judge explained.

"There's no need to be tense. Moreover, the voice is so loud that it seems as if there is anger," he continued.

The two sides can slowly submit and wait for their turn to undergo a trial which is recorded by the substitute clerk.

"I see this, we are ordered to settle cases, both of you are in conflict. Don't be embarrassed. Be a little cool," said the judge.

The judge then asked the prosecutor whether he could comply with the Criminal Procedure Code. Hotman also asked the same question. Both of them replied, "Ready!"

"All of us are limited. It's just that all of us join together, our legal knowledge seeks the facts and applies what the laws are to the facts. That's all our goal. We don't want to seek to be famous, so that people know it, there's nothing like that," said the judge.

The follow-up hearing on the drug trafficking case that ensnared Inspector General Teddy Minahasa today has the agenda of examining witnesses.

The prosecutor presented five witnesses, namely Fathullah Adi Putra, Nataniel Ginting, Timotius Clemen, Maulana alias Mul, and Imron.