Is There Really a Scenario Freeing Ferdy Sambo?

DRAMA the case of the premeditated murder of Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat or Brigadier J will soon be resolved. However, rumors circulated that there was an attempt to free this former two-star general from punishment.

It was the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD who first conveyed this suspicion.

Mahfud MD admitted that he sensed that there was an “underground movement” that deliberately tried to influence the verdict or verdict of the panel of judges against Ferdy Sambo and all the defendants in the premeditated murder case against Yosua.

Mahfud MD admitted that he received information if there was an attempt or movement that “ordered” a decision for Sambo.

Not only that, Mahfud also said that the person trying to influence and intervene in the decision of the panel of judges would later be a Brigadier General and a high-ranking defense and security official.

Not surprised

The Chief Executive of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) Benny Mamoto admitted that he was not surprised by Mahfud MD’s remarks.

The reason is, these indications have existed since the murder case that this attempt to cover up occurred. Movements that seek to liberate or pass Sambo continue.

This former police officer believes that this ‘underground movement’ will not stop and will continue to occur as long as this case is still ongoing.

According to him, there will be other efforts from certain parties to relieve Sambo from all punishment.

Even though he is already behind bars, Ferdy Sambo is believed to still have his spurs. The former Kadiv Propam Polri still has loyalists who are ready to carry out ‘operations’ to commute sentences and if possible free Sambo from punishment.

This effort is expected to continue. Not only at the district court level, but also appeals and cassation as well as judicial review.

Still going strong

The same suspicion was conveyed by Sugeng Teguh Santoso. The chairman of the Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) admitted that he received information that since being named a suspect, Sambo had prepared a number of scenarios.

As a high-ranking official within the National Police Headquarters, Sambo is believed to have the power of money and network.

Not only did he do political lobbying that led to the giving of a sum of money, Sambo also put up a fight when the alleged premeditated murder case that he had committed was revealed to the surface and was being processed by the police.

So if at this time there are attempts to influence and intervene in court decisions, this is nothing new and surprising.

The same thing was conveyed by Brigadier J’s Attorney for Family Law, Martin Simanjuntak. He said he had been warned from the start that Sambo had money and a network.

This can be used by Sambo to relieve or release him from the bondage of punishment.

Surprising demands

If you look at the demands made by the prosecutor in court, the suspicions of Mahfud MD and many other people are well-founded.

Previously, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) had demanded that Ferdy Sambo be sentenced to life imprisonment, not the death penalty.

Sambo’s wife, Putri Candrawathi, was sentenced to 8 years in prison, the same as the demands of Strong Makruf and Ricky Rizal.

Even though the prosecutor stated that Putri’s claims of sexual violence or rape were not proven. In addition, Putri is also considered to be the person who triggered the premeditated murder of Joshua.

Meanwhile, Richard Eliezer Pudihang Lumiu, the person who opened and exposed the premeditated murder case against Yosua, which was initially covered up, was instead charged with 12 years in prison.

Eliezer’s status as a ‘Justice Collaborator’ seemed to be ignored by the prosecutors when drafting and reading out the charges.

There is a growing rumor that there is pressure from the leadership at the Attorney General’s Office regarding the charges read out by the prosecutor team at the South Jakarta District Court.

Especially when reading out the charges, the prosecutor was seen several times taking deep breaths, stammering and as if wiping away tears with his hands.

The ambiguity in the charges against Sambo, Eliezer, Putri Candrawathi and the two other defendants is seen as evidence that Sambo still has power and is able to ‘manage’ trials.

The question is, will the same thing happen in the later verdict and will Mahfud MD’s suspicions be proven?

Watch the discussion inside One Desk talk show The ForumWednesday (25/1/2023), at Compass TV starting at 20.30 WIB.

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