Ainur Rohmah, Semarang – The Semarang District Court in Central Java convicted two men for assaulting a member of the Surakarta Islam Defenders Front (FPI). The incident took place in Gandekan, Jebres, Surakarta, in May.
Koes Setiawan (alias Iwan Walet) was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, while Mardi Sugeng (alias Gembor) received 12 months.
"Both defendants have been found guilty of assaulting the victim," presiding judge Boedi Soesanto said while reading the verdict on Tuesday. He added that Koes and Mardi had violated Article 170 of the Criminal Code on Assault. The verdict for Mardi was heavier because he is a recidivist.
"We both accept the verdict," said Koes during the proceedings. The sentence for both defendants was lighter than the edict demanded by prosecutors, prosecutor Bima Suprayoga had previously demanded an 18-month sentence for Koes and a 15-month sentence for Mardi.
Koes and Mardi were arrested following reports that they had struck Dwi Pamuji, an FPI member, on Jl. RE Martadinata in Gandekan on May 3. The incident sparked violence between the FPI and another mass organization.
Koes and Mardi were originally tried at the Surakarta District Court, however, the court later handed the case to the Semarang District Court based on decree No. 102/KMA/VIII/2012 issued by the Supreme Court. The decision was made for security reason.
The FPI is a hard-line group infamous for its use of threats and violence to stop what it deems as "sinful" activities.
On Tuesday, dozens of FPI members were present during the announcement of the verdict – both inside and outside the courtroom. FPI members were visibly upset with the court's decision and did not accept the judge's verdict.
They yelled, "Let them free! We'll be waiting for them in Solo [Surakarta]," indicating that they aimed to "judge" Koes and Mardi themselves in Surakarta.
The proceedings did end without any incidents, as police officers from the Semarang Police were on hand. Outside the court, the police managed to keep control of the situation when FPI members encountered supporters of the two defendants.
This is not the first court case involving FPI members. In July, the Bogor District Court convicted a 17-year-old boy who killed a member of the local branch of the FPI.
The boy, Bogor resident Ival Reza Yulian Mahendra, was sentenced to three-and-half years' imprisonment for fatal assault under Article 351 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).