2-1-2024 (JAKARTA) Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, Head of the Indonesian Army Information Service (Kadispenad), confirmed that the six soldiers from the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) accused of assaulting volunteers supporting presidential candidate pair Ganjar Pranowo and Mahfud MD are now under temporary detention. The soldiers, identified as Prada Y, Prada P, Prada A, Prada J, Prada F, and Prada M, have been named suspects by the Military Police Detachment (Denpom) IV/Surakarta.
“They were temporarily detained for 20 days for further legal proceedings,” stated Kristomei on Tuesday (2/1/2024). He emphasized the commitment of the TNI AD to uphold legal regulations, adding, “Any member proven guilty in the abuse case will, of course, face firm steps and actions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
Colonel Richard Harison, Head of Information for Kodam IV/Diponegoro, clarified that the abuse case would be handed over to the Military Prosecutor for trial in a military court. He assured that the legal process against the six soldiers from Company B of Infantry Battalion 408/Raider Kodam IV/Diponegoro remains independent, with no intervention from the TNI or Kodam IV/Diponegoro.
As reported earlier, seven volunteers supporting presidential and vice-presidential candidate number 3, Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, were assaulted by soldiers from Yonif 408/Raider in front of Yonif 408/Raider Company Headquarters in Boyolali, Central Java, on December 30, 2023. Lieutenant Colonel Inf Wiweko Wulang Widodo, Dandim 0724/Boyolali, disclosed that 15 TNI soldiers, suspected of involvement in the abuse, came from Company B Yonif 408/Suhbrastha.
The incident unfolded when members of Company B Yonif 408/Suhbrastha were playing volleyball and heard noise from a motorbike with a loud exhaust. Reacting to the situation, some members went out to investigate, leading to a confrontation with motorbike riders using prohibited exhausts. The situation escalated, resulting in the abuse of one motorbike rider.
