TUAL, Legal Literacy— The Tual Police have named a member of the Mobile Brigade Corps with the initials Bripda MS as a suspect in the alleged abuse case that caused a student aged 14 years old, Arianto Tawakal, to die. The suspect is now being held in the Tual Police Detention Center, while the criminal process and internal ethical examination are said to be running in parallel.

Tual Police Chief AKBP Whansi Des Asmoro said that MS's status was raised from a reported party to a suspect after the investigation was upgraded to an investigation. The police have examined 14 witnesses to strengthen the construction of the case. "Currently, the investigation process has been upgraded to an investigation and Bripda MS's status has changed from a reported party to a suspect," Whansi said in a statement to reporters.

The incident occurred around Uningrat Campus, Tual City. The victim was reported to have suffered serious head injuries and was pronounced dead after receiving medical treatment. In the same incident, the victim's brother was also reported to have suffered serious injuries resulting in fractures.

In this case, investigators charged Bripda MS with Article 76C juncto Article 80 paragraph (3) of the Child Protection Act, and Article 466 of the National Criminal Code. The police stated that the case file will be processed according to the provisions and developments in handling will be conveyed openly.

From the institutional side, National Police Headquarters apologized for the actions of members who allegedly committed violence that resulted in the death of a child. Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police Irjen Pol Johnny Eddizon Isir emphasized that the action was not in line with the values ​​of Tribrata and Catur Prasetya and had the potential to injure public trust in the Police.

"The National Police apologizes for the actions of the individual members of the National Police which are not in line with the values ​​of Tribrata and Catur Prasetya," said Johnny. He also stated that the National Police is committed to overseeing the law enforcement and code of ethics processes in a transparent and accountable manner, and invites the public and the victim's family to participate in overseeing the legal process.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo also spoke up. He said that this case has been processed and its handling is being assisted by ranks at the Regional Police level. "I think it has been processed. Currently, it is being investigated, investigated... handled by the Police, assisted by the Regional Police," said Sigit.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) strongly condemned the incident and urged that the perpetrators be punished to the fullest extent. KPAI Commissioner Aris Adi Leksono assesses that this case is not merely a criminal violation, but also concerns the fulfillment of children's rights. The KPAI also encourages strict ethical sanctions, including dishonorable dismissal if found guilty, and requests comprehensive recovery for the victim's family and evaluation of SOPs for the use of force by officers.

The Tual Police stated that the ethical handling of the suspect is being handled by internal supervision/propam elements in parallel with the criminal process. The police emphasized that there is no attempt to cover up the handling of the case and asked the public to give the investigators space to complete the examination of witnesses and the collection of evidence.

This case once again highlights public attention to the accountability of the use of force by officers, especially when it results in child victims. Investigators stated that they will complete the case to the prosecution stage in accordance with applicable legal processes.