Hate Speech Trial Delayed; Jonru's Wife Refuses to Testify
30 January 2018 19:30 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The trial on hate speech via social media with defendant Jon Riah Ukur a.k.a. Jonru Ginting was canceled. The hearing, scheduled to take place today, January 30, at the East Jakarta Court, was canceled because two witnesses failed to attend.
Another witness, the defendant's wife Hendra Yulianti, also refused to testify at the trial.
"As permitted by law, the defendant's wife has the right to refuse to testify. She did, and the judge approved. The prosecutors also agreed," Jonru Ginting's lawyers Dedi Suhardadi said in Jakarta, Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Dedi said that the two other witnesses who did not come to today's hearing are Jonru Ginting's employee and former employee. They did not provide a clear reason for their absence.
Jonru Ginting was named as a suspect and was immediately detained by the Jakarta Police's investigators on Friday, September 29, 2017. Jonru was reported by Muannas Alaidid on charges of spreading hate speech through his Facebook page.
His trial will resume on Thursday, February 1, where the court will be listed to expert witnesses' testimonies.
M Julnis Firmansyah