September 25, 2025
JAKARTA – Several national figures, including former first lady Sinta Nuriyah Wahid and former religious affairs minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, have urged the police to release activists accused of inciting last month’s nationwide riots, arguing they were merely exercising their right to freedom of expression.
In a letter to National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, members of the pro-democracy group Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (GNB) requested a suspension of the activists’ detention and expressed their willingness to serve as guarantors.
“We have agreed to be an integral part of the effort to secure the suspension. We are willing to act as guarantors,” Lukman said after visiting the detainees at Jakarta Police headquarters on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, police named four activists as suspects for allegedly persuading people, including minors, to join demonstrations that escalated into violence between late August and early September.
They are Lokataru Foundation director Delpedro Marhaen, staff member Muzzafar Salim, Gejayan Memanggil online activist Syahdan Husein and Riau University student Khariq Anhar. They face charges under Article 160 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on provocation, as well as several provisions of the 2014 Child Protection Law.
The protests began on Aug. 25 in Jakarta as a response to lawmakers’ lavish perks and perceived arrogance, before spreading nationwide. They escalated sharply after the death of Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old ojol (online motorcycle transportation driver) fatally struck by a police tactical vehicle near the Senayan Legislative Complex on Aug. 28. Footage of the incident spread rapidly online, fueling anger over police brutality and leading to riots and looting in several cities.
Rights groups and democracy advocates have condemned the arrests as unlawful and a dangerous precedent that undermines freedom of protest and assembly.
During Tuesday’s visit to police headquarters, GNB representatives voiced concerns that the arrests were the result of “misunderstanding” and urged the authorities to ensure the activists’ humane treatment.
“We came here to set things right and hope that all activists can be released,” said Sinta, the wife of late former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid.
Former minister Lukman added that even if investigations were to continue, detainees’ rights must be safeguarded.
“We hope that those who protested peacefully can be immediately released. And if there is evidence requiring investigation, the process should still uphold human rights principles,” he said.
Treatment concerns
Families of the suspects have urged the police to allow easier communication access and ensure humane treatment, particularly following reports that some detainees went on hunger strikes.
The police have denied these claims, saying food is provided regularly and that all detainees are in good condition.
“Since the suspects arrived, we have always taken good care of them,” said Adj. Sr. Comr. Dermawan Karosekali, Jakarta Police director of the detention and evidence center, on Friday.
Delpedro’s family confirmed to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that he is in good health, although he appears thinner.
They expressed concern, however, over the lack of clarity after more than three weeks in detention, despite numerous witness testimonies.
The prolonged investigation has also raised worries about his mental well-being, particularly because he is restricted to reading and cannot write.
“He is not allowed to write, yet he wants to finish his thesis. He really hopes to be able to write while in detention,” said his brother, Delpiero Hegelian.
Delpiero said his younger brother was detained on Sept. 1. Police requested an extension of his detention on Sept. 8, which the prosecutor’s office granted on Sept. 17, but the official letter was only delivered to Delpedro on Sept. 19.
“I don’t fully understand the mechanics of whether that’s correct or not. What we hope, however, is that the suspension of detention will be granted,” he said.
Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra visited Delpedro and other detainees arrested during the riots earlier this month, urging that the legal process be concluded quickly.
The senior minister suggested that if the case files are complete, investigators could consider restorative justice. If no agreement is reached, the case should be promptly submitted to court.
“The suspect should not be detained for too long. Prolonged detention is also detrimental to the individual concerned,” Yusril said, as reported by Kompas