TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lawyer and politician Yusril Ihza Mahendra came to the Mobile Brigade Command Headquarter at Kelapa Dua, Depok, on Friday, December 2, 2016, to volunteer himself as the lawyer of the detained activists due to a coup allegation.
A number of activists such as Ratna Surampaet, Kivlan Zen, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, Rachmawati Soekarno Putri, have been arrested under the allegation of planning a coup. “They were accused of conducting a coup. But, I don’t see their intentions of doing it,” Yusril said.
Based on the information received by Tempo, the activists were charged with Article 87 for their intentions to conduct a coup, Article 107 and 207 on the efforts to overthrow a legitimate government. “I would like to accompany ibu Rachmawati, and the others,” he said.
Yusril confirmed that according to the existing law, police are allowed to conduct an arrest based on the early evidence of a plan to conduct a coup.
However, according to him, police should have been more cautious in their arrest procedure. Especially, if it is related to a sensitive matter, such as a coup, which is closely related to politics.
“There must be enough evidence. If there is no any, I ask them to be freed,” he said. “I volunteer myself to be their lawyer.”
IMAM HAMDI
