The Jakarta Corruption Court Prepares for Hasto's Verdict Hearing, Anticipating Unrest

The hearing for the reading of the verdict against the corruption defendant, Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P Hasto Kristiyanto, will only be held on Friday (25/7/2025). However, the Jakarta Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court is already busy preparing various necessities to ensure the smooth conduct of the verdict hearing. One of the anticipated concerns is the potential unrest from Hasto Kristiyanto's supporters.

In front of the entrance to the lobby of the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor), a black tent marked with the words Polres Metro Jakarta Pusat is visible on the left side of the entrance. Two X-ray machines can also be seen, which will be used to inspect the belongings of visitors attending the hearings at the entrance.

The two machines will only be used for Hasto's hearing. The use of these machines to inspect the belongings of visitors at the Jakarta Corruption Court has been rare in the past. The machines are only utilized when there is a potential for unrest, such as during the trial of former Secretary of the Islamic Defenders Front, Munarman, at the East Jakarta District Court. Hundreds of police personnel were also deployed to secure the court during that hearing.

The Central Jakarta District Court has also stated that it has coordinated with the police to maintain order during the verdict hearing for Hasto. It is estimated that hundreds of police personnel will be involved in maintaining order during the verdict hearing.

"If our security personnel are only 24, divided into two shifts for morning and afternoon duty, it will not be sufficient. The last information from the previous hearing of Hasto indicated that there were more than a hundred supporters of the defendant who attended," said the Chairperson of the Central Jakarta District Court, Husnul Khotimah, during a media briefing on the verdict hearing of defendant Hasto Kristiyanto on Wednesday (23/7/2025).

Husnul also revealed that court officials have scoured the road in front of the Central Jakarta District Court building. This "clean-up" was intended to remove materials such as gravel and dry wood that could potentially be used as tools to incite unrest.

"Our security team has already scouted the road, so we have removed gravel and small stones from the path. Our personnel have been deployed to minimize the possibility of any wood that could be burned or anything else, because if there is, they might get angry and throw it carelessly, causing a fire, and we would be held responsible," said Husnul.

The reading of the verdict for Hasto Kristiyanto, the defendant in the bribery case regarding the interim replacement and obstruction of the investigation of the legislative candidate from PDI-Perjuangan, Harun Masiku, and the obstruction of the investigation in that case will be held in the Kusumah Atmaja courtroom located on the first floor of the Jakarta Corruption Court building. The room has a capacity of up to 100 visitors.

Reflecting on the previous hearings of Hasto, both during the evidence presentation, the prosecution, and the defendant's plea, Hasto's supporters have consistently filled the courtroom. Several politicians and high-ranking officials from PDI-P have taken turns attending Hasto's hearings since they first commenced on Friday (14/3/2025). Among them are Ganjar Pranowo, Djarot Saiful Hidayat, Adian Napitupulu, and Deddy Yevri Sitorus.

Moreover, supporters of Hasto also held demonstrations in front of the Jakarta Corruption Court every time Hasto's hearing took place. The supporters rallied non-stop from the beginning of the hearing until the session concluded.

They numbered in the dozens, carrying banners and a command vehicle that served as a loudspeaker. In each of their speeches, they expressed hope that there would be no intervention in the judiciary and that the law could be upheld impartially.

The spokesperson for the Central Jakarta District Court, Andi Saputra, added that the Central Jakarta District Court will broadcast live on its official YouTube channel regarding the verdict for Hasto. This aims to allow the public to witness the verdict hearing directly.

"We will limit the number of visitors in the courtroom to a maximum of 70 people," Andi said.

He welcomed any supporters of Hasto who wish to come to the Central Jakarta District Court. However, those supporters will only be able to witness the verdict through a live streaming broadcast on YouTube.

According to Andi, the decision was made based on the evaluation results from previous hearings that have been held. In the future, it is planned that this will also be applied to other hearings, especially those that attract public attention.

Three days before the reading of Hasto's verdict or to be precise, Tuesday (22/7/2025), the Coordinator of the Alliance of Academics Concerned about Justice consisting of a number of prominent figures and academics from various universities and colleges such as Prof. Magnis Soeseno (STF Driyarkara), Prof. Maria W Soemardjono (UGM), Prof. Ramlan Surbakti (Unair), Prof. Sulistyowati Irianto (UI) to Marzuki Darusman (Attorney General 1999-2001) sent an amicus curiae or friend of the court to the Panel of Judges of the Central Jakarta Corruption Court.

In a document received by Kompas, the Independent Academic Alliance stated that the prosecution of Hasto Kristiyanto was riddled with irregularities and raised significant concerns. They assessed that the case appeared to be a criminalization and prosecution based more on political motives than legal ones.

The argument is reinforced by the alleged weakness of the evidence and the forced examination procedures by the KPK. Furthermore, Hasto is a political party figure who is critical of the administration of the 7th President Jokowi, thus the prosecution against Hasto is seen as an attempt to attack a political opponent and maintain power.

They argue that if the judge does not acquit Hasto, it will send a negative signal regarding the independence of the judiciary and democracy in Indonesia. Prosecution based on political motives can undermine public trust in the judicial system and destroy judicial independence.

The Academic Alliance for Justice requests the Judges' Council to consider their views as Court Friends, in order to examine, decide, and adjudicate the case objectively, fairly, and based on the principles of law and the applicable regulations in Indonesia.

Hasto was designated as a suspect in the bribery case related to the interim replacement and obstruction of the investigation of the legislative candidate from PDI-Perjuangan, Harun Masiku, and the investigation of the case on December 24, 2024. Two months later, on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Hasto was detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission.

Hasto also submitted a pretrial request regarding the determination of his suspect status. However, the request was not accepted by the judge. Hasto's legal counsel then refiled two pretrial requests for each of his cases. Nevertheless, before the pretrial hearing was decided, the KPK had already transferred the case files to the court.

In this case, Hasto has been sentenced to 7 years in prison and a fine of Rp 600 million, with a subsidiary of 6 months' imprisonment. The prosecutor believes that Hasto violated Article 21 and Article 5 Paragraph 1 Letter a of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes.

In his personal plea, Hasto accused the legal case against him of being a legal fabrication laden with political interests. Hasto also denied the prosecutor's allegations that he had conspired to commit corruption and obstructed the investigation into the bribery case concerning the appointment of Harun Masiku as a member of the DPR for the 2019-2024 period.

While reading the plea, Hasto also urged the KPK to promptly arrest Harun Masiku. The arrest of Harun Masiku is necessary to clarify the substance of the bribery case. Hasto also questioned why Harun Masiku has not yet been apprehended by the KPK, despite the fact that the coordinates of Harun's location are reportedly already known to the KPK.

He accused Harun Masiku of not being caught because he was obstructing him, but because Harun did not want to be arrested by the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK).

"Please consider, Your Honor, that in this trial, the sworn testimony of Arief Budi Rahardjo stated that the coordinates of Harun Masiku were already known to the KPK. The question is, why has he not been arrested?" said Hasto.

Hasto also requested the panel of judges to acquit him of all charges and to restore his good name as well as his dignity and honor. "To acquit the defendant of all charges or at the very least declare him free from all claims," said Hasto.