Pagaralam, KOTABARI.COM – Approximately 50 individuals claiming to be relatives of the defendant, Angga Yudha Pratama, who is currently facing charges of assaulting a minor, staged a demonstration in front of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the city of Pagaralam, South Sumatra Province (SOUTH SUMSEL) on Wednesday (08/09/2023). They demanded the removal of the Prosecutor handling the case, Ulfa Nurhayati.
In their address, the spokesperson for the demonstrators, Al Kafi Dawam, expressed that the defendant’s family perceived Prosecutor Ulfa as unprofessional in handling the case and even alleged that she had intimidated Yudha during the interrogation process. They further alleged that the Prosecutor had personal motives, thereby rendering her biased in the case. Al Kafi Dawam told reporters, “We urge the Prosecutor to remove Prosecutor Ulfa due to her lack of professionalism, and we suspect that she had intimidated Yudha’s younger sibling to force a confession. Moreover, we believe she has personal motives, hence we suspect Ulfa lacks objectivity in examining this case. We demand the Prosecutor to release Yudha, as we suspect there is manipulation and criminalization in this case.”
Three representatives from the demonstrators were subsequently invited for a mediation session within the office of the Intel Division at the Pagaralam Prosecutor’s Office, hosted by Sosor Panggabean. A heated debate ensued between the spokesperson and the Intel Division’s representative. The demonstrators’ representatives emphasized to the Prosecutor’s Office the urgency of removing Prosecutor Ulfa and releasing Yudha. However, Sosor Panggabean explained that the process of removing a Prosecutor must adhere to proper mechanisms and regulations governing the justice system. “We cannot instantly comply with the demand made by all of you to immediately dismiss the Prosecutor handling this case, as there are mechanisms and regulations in place. Furthermore, the accusations against the Prosecutor that you have conveyed lack supporting evidence. Hence, for the time being, we will consider your demand, and we will communicate it to our superiors,” Sosor responded.
A verbal altercation also took place between the spokesperson of the demonstrators and the Intel Division’s representative during the mediation session. Alkahfi Dawam, representing the demonstrators, pressed Sosor to arrange a meeting between Prosecutor Ulfa, Yudha, and themselves for clarifications regarding the allegations. However, Sosor rejected this request outright.
Following their demonstration at the Pagaralam Prosecutor’s Office, the group of Yudha’s family members proceeded to the District Court to attend the hearing for the assault case. The session was scheduled to include the reading of the defendant’s exception statement.
The sequence of events leading up to this trial began when allegations of assaulting a minor were reported in May. Yudha was accused of inappropriately touching a minor in a karaoke room. The victim subsequently confided in their parents, who then reported Yudha to the Pagaralam Police. The case has captured public attention and triggered fervent debates within the community.