The Indictment At The Initial Session Of The Alleged Defamation Case Of Luhut's Name, Haris Azhar In Fact Feels Defamed

Haris Azhar And Fatia's Session At The East Jakarta District Court/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - Human Rights Activists (HAM) Haris Azhar and Fatiah Maulidiyanty were charged with defamation of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan at the East Jakarta District Court, Monday, April 3. The indictment was read out by the Public Prosecutor (JPU) at the East Jakarta District Court.

"There are many charges that I think are slanderous. That's why I say there are many mistakes and I tend this indictment to be like wanting to slander me and Fatia. But later we will answer in a good and correct way," said Haris after the trial, Monday, April 3.

Haris said the charges against him and Fatia were not in accordance with the information and evidence that had been carried out in the investigation process.

"We will be defended in two weeks. But in my opinion, in fact, I feel slandered by this indictment," he said.

The trial today is the first trial for the defendants Haris and Fatia. Both were named as defendants in the defamation case of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

Both of them have case files with the same case information but with different numbers. Haris' case file number is 202/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Jkt.Tim, while Fatia is 203/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Jkt.Tim.

Haris Azhar and Fatia were charged with violating Article 27 Paragraph 3 Juncto Article 45 Paragraph 3 of Law (UU) Number 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law 11/2008 concerning ITE or Article 14 Paragraph 2 Subsidiary Article 15 of Law 1/1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations or Article 310 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.