Guaranteed By Family, 2 Journalists In Bengkulu Suspected Of Extortion Of 17 Village Heads Get Suspension Of Detention

2 journalists involved in the extortion of village heads in Bengkulu (Via ANTARA)

BENGKULU - Two suspected unscrupulous online media journalists in North Bengkulu Regency, namely ER, and W, received a suspension of detention from the Bengkulu Police Directorate of Criminal Investigation. The two were caught in the Hand-Catching Operation (OTT), last Wednesday, January 18 in an extortion case.

The suspect's legal adviser, Jacky Haryanto, said that his client received a suspension of detention on Thursday after receiving guarantees from several parties, such as his family and the Chairman of the Bengkulu Indonesian Cyber ​​Media Union (SMSI).

"It is true that the two unscrupulous journalists received a suspension of detention a few days ago and at this time we have not received any information whether the case has been transferred to the prosecutor's office or is still under investigation," said Jacky in Bengkulu City, reported by Antara, Thursday, February 16.

The Bengkulu Regional Police's Ditreskrimum named two unscrupulous journalists ER and W as suspects last Wednesday, January 18. During the OTT, the police confiscated evidence in the form of IDR 30 million in cash.

Both of them are strongly suspected of extorting 17 village heads in Kerkap District, North Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu by asking each village head for IDR 10 million.

If the village head does not comply with the demands of the actors, he will report problems with the management of the Village Fund to the relevant parties.

Meanwhile, the Bengkulu High Court (Kejati) received a Notice of Commencement of Investigation (SPPD) in the OTT case of two journalists in the North Bengkulu Regency on January 30, 2023.

Head of the Legal Information Section of the Bengkulu Prosecutor's Office, Ristianti Andriani, said that his party had appointed two prosecutors to handle the case.

"For the article that was imposed on the two unscrupulous journalists, namely article 368 of the Criminal Code concerning extortion," he said.

The two suspects are threatened with Article 368 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code concerning anyone who threatens or forces another person to give something which carries a maximum prison sentence of nine years.