Lukas Enembe's Lawyer Stefanus Roy Rening Charged With Obstructing Justice
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28 September 2023 00:05 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Stefanus Roy Rening, the lawyer of Papua's inactive Governor Lukas Enembe, underwent an arraignment trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday, September 27. Stefanus was charged with obstruction of justice in his capacity as Lukas' defense lawyer in the alleged corruption case in which the latter is a suspect.
The public prosecutor from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Budi Sarumpaet, said in his indictment that Stefanus obstructed justice proceedings himself by deliberately trying to influence the parties undergoing investigation.
"Deliberately preventing, obstructing, or directly or indirectly thwarting, prosecution and examination at court of suspects and defendants or witnesses in corruption cases," he read out his indictment.
Prosecutor: Stefanus Directs Lukas to Miss KPK Summons, Mobilizes Crowd
According to Budi, Stefanus directed Lukas not to respond to the KPK's summons on the grounds of illness. Meanwhile, Lukas had already stated that he would willingly take part in the KPK examination.
"[Stefanus instructed him] by saying 'No Sir, you don't have to attend, or they will arrest you. Let's just say that you are ill'," Budi said. Let's just say that you're sick," said Budi, imitating Stefanus' statement to Lukas.
According to Budi, the conversation between Stefanus and Lukas took place at Lukas' residence in Jayapura on September 11, 2022. Lukas also failed to respond to the KPK's summons at that time.
Budi also said that Stefanus was the actor behind the mobilization of the crowd to the Headquarters of the Papua Police Mobile Brigade in Jayapura, to protest against the detention of Lukas Enembe after his arrest on January 10, 2023. The prosecutor said that Stefanus even gave a speech in front of the crowds who rejected the arrival of KPK investigators.
"Because of this, KPK investigators were unable to examine Lukas Enembe, and the large number of people demonstrating at Mako Brimob Jayapura caused the investigation process at Mako Brimob to be disrupted," said the prosecutor.
Influencing the Witness
Budi also stated that Stefanus asked the Papua Regional Secretary at that time, Ridwan Rudalamun, to not hand over evidence of Lukas Enembe's corruption to the Corruption Eradication Commission. This evidence is the operational funds worth Rp10 billion, which was used to hold a birthday party for Lukas Enembe's son.
"This made KPK investigators unable to confiscate Rp10 billion during the investigation process as evidence," said the prosecutor.
The prosecutor indicted Stefanus of violating Article 21 of Law No.31/1999 on Eradication of Corruption Crimes. Stefanus could face up to 12 years in prison if found guilty.
The KPK arrested Lukas on January 10 this year at a restaurant in Jayapura. The Democratic Party politician is scheduled to hear his verdict next month.
SULTAN ABDURRAHMAN
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