Pengacara Panji Gumilang Duga Ada Kriminalisasi Di Kasus Penisaan Agama

Panji Gumilang/DOK PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

The Panji Gumilang camp suspects that there is an element of criminalization in handling cases of alleged blasphemy. This is because the process of determining the suspect and detaining the head of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School is considered very fast.

"We have suspected from the start how the criminalization and politicization of the problem of Mr. Syeh Panji Gumilang," said Panji Gumilang's attorney, Hendra Effendy, to reporters, Wednesday, August 2.

According to Hendra, indications of criminalization have been seen since the beginning of the handling of the case. In fact, it became clearer when the process of determining the suspect to the detention of Panji Gumilang.

"We have expected from the start and we have read the steps, yes, we read earlier, we said that in a month starting from the witness then being a suspect then being detained, arrested and detained and until today it is still being processed," he said.

However, when asked about the purpose of criminalizing his client, Hendra stated that he did not know about it. However, he believes that there is an allegation behind the case involving Panji Gumilang.

"The goal is yes, we do not understand, but we suspect that the criminalization of politicization is happening in this case, in this case," said Hendra.

Panji Gumilang is considered to have committed blasphemy so that he was named a suspect. The head of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School has been detained at the Bareskrim detention center as of August 2, early in the morning.

One form of blasphemy allegedly related to the mention of the Qur'an is an essay by the Prophet Muhammad.

In this case, Panji Gumilang was charged with multiple articles. First, Article 14 Paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations which carries a penalty of 10 years in prison.

Then, Article 45A paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph 2 of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning ITE with a threat of 6 years in prison.

Finally, Panji Gumilang was also charged with Article 156 A of the Criminal Code. In this article, the penalty is 5 years in prison.