By: Firza Ahmad) *
Rizieq Shihab’s trial was again excited because he once again walked out . The reason is because the former FPI leader refused the virtual session. This refusal for the second time caused the judicial process to slow down. Even though the virtual trial is in accordance with the rule of law, because it is allowed during a pandemic.
Rizieq Shihab became a suspect in several cases, including the crowd in Petamburan, who was caught lying to the public about the results of the swab test , and opposing the officers on duty. Many cases have complicated him, making Rizieq have to spend at least 6 years in prison, to be accountable for his actions.
Unfortunately, when he was tried on March 19, 2021, Rizieq rebelled. He insisted on walking out and refused the virtual trial, then asked to be brought to court. Rizieq’s stubborn attitude confused the judges, because he was doing WO for the second time. So that the judicial process is delayed.
Rizieq’s refusal was not based on law, because virtual trials were allowed during a pandemic. First, conventionally conventionally attended by large numbers of people, so it can be difficult to keep your distance. During a pandemic, we don’t know which of the people attending the trial has OTG status, so we must keep a minimum distance of 1 meter.
Moreover, Rizieq’s presence could have invited the masses of former FPI members. So it is feared that it will form a new corona cluster. Don’t let the trial regarding the crowd case bring in a new crowd and spread the covid-19 virus. How tragic!
To prevent crowds, prior to this stage 2 trial, the authorities were already on guard in front of the court. Even barbed wire was installed on top of the wall. This was done to prevent riots that were predicted to occur when a crowd arrived. But fortunately there were no crowds, and I hope all former FPI members will obey the health protocol more.
Apart from preventing the transmission of corona to the people who were present at the trial, the virtual court actually protected Rizieq himself. Even though he has been exposed to corona, he could have caught it for the second time, when his immunity is low and surrounded by OTG. In fact, the authorities are preventing the man from getting sick again, considering that he is already an elderly category.
Meanwhile, Rizieq himself cannot just walk out of the trial. Because even though it is done online , the procedure is correct. The trial remains legal in the eyes of the law in Indonesia. If he keeps walking out , he could be forced to undergo a virtual trial. Because they have to be accountable for their actions.
Rizieq’s legal team also could not force the man to be brought to court. Since the judge has decided on the trial virtually, he must comply with the decision. If you fight, there will be consequences. Indriyanto Seno Adji, a legal expert from the University of Indonesia, stated that Rizieq had obstructed the legal process.
Seno continued, WO Rizieq’s action was an obstruction of justice in the form of misbehaving in court . This action turned out to be a blunder , because Rizieq would lose the right to defend himself granted by law. In that sense, Rizieq would suffer a huge loss because he would even turn off his own path.
If it is Rizieq WO for the third time, then the right to defend himself can be revoked, and it is considered to be against the court. So that the punishment could be even heavier, for not following the rules. He could spend much longer in prison, considering that the pretrial lawsuit was also rejected.
Rizieq Shihab’s trial process was in accordance with the rule of law. So that he may not walk out and reject the virtual trial. When he continues to WO, he loses his right to defend himself in court.
) * The author is a citizen living in Bogor
