THE police have named eight individuals as suspects in a defamation and libel case linked to allegations that former president Joko Widodo falsified his university degree.
The suspects are alleged to have spread unfounded accusations about the former leader’s academic credentials to the public including over social media, prompting him to lodge a police report in April.
Jakarta Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector-General Asep Edi Suheri said on Friday that the eight suspects were divided into two groups and faced multiple charges under the Criminal Code and the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.
“Investigators had questioned 130 witnesses and 22 experts, and seized 723 pieces of evidence, including original documents from Gadjah Mada University confirming Joko Widodo’s degree was genuine,” he said in a statement.
He said police would coordinate with prosecutors for further action, adding that the investigation was being conducted professionally and transparently, based on scientific evidence.
Asep also urged Indonesians to use social media responsibly and verify information before sharing it, in order to help keep online spaces safe. — Bernama
