Amsal Sitepu cleared of charges, Karo prosecutors review next legal steps
Thekabarnews.com—The Karo Prosecutor’s Office in North Sumatra is considering its next legal steps. This comes after a court acquitted Amsal Christy Sitepu in a corruption case involving a...
Thekabarnews.com—The Karo Prosecutor’s Office in North Sumatra is considering its next legal steps. This comes after a court acquitted Amsal Christy Sitepu in a corruption case involving a video production project in a Karo Regency village.
A group of judges at the Medan District Court made the decision on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Chief Judge Muhammad Yusafrihardi Girsang said that the court did not find enough evidence to prove that the defendant had done anything wrong. He explained that the evidence was not sufficient as the prosecutors had claimed.
The judge read the verdict and said, “We find the defendant innocent of all charges brought by the public prosecutor.”
Dona Martinus, Head of Intelligence at the Karo Prosecutor’s Office, said that prosecutors would take some time to think about the ruling. Then, they will decide whether or not to appeal.
“We will think about the decision carefully. We have seven days to figure out where we stand,” Dona told reporters.
Even though the evaluation is still going on, the prosecution stressed how much they respect the court’s decision. Dona reiterated that the office respects the courts’ power, even as it examines the verdict’s legal implications.
Amsal received a not-guilty verdict from the court. The court also mandated the restoration of all his rights, including his legal status, dignity, and reputation.
Judges Muhammad Kasim and Gustap Marpaung, part of the panel, determined that the charges lacked sufficient evidence to prove them beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict included both main and secondary charges.
The case attracted public interest because of its potential impact on Indonesia’s growing creative economy. This scenario is especially true for freelancers and small service providers who work on government projects.
Amsal, a videographer, had said before that he was just doing professional work. He asked why the project was paid for if the authorities thought the proposed cost was too high.
Legal experts say the acquittal could influence future cases involving procurement and service contracts. This is especially important in distinguishing between administrative issues and criminal liability.
The court has given both sides a week to decide whether to accept the ruling or take more legal action. The case can still be appealed until then.
People who are watching say that the outcome could have bigger effects on business confidence and legal certainty. This is especially critical for independent professionals working on public sector projects.
As the deadline gets closer, people are wondering if prosecutors will fight the decision or let the acquittal stand. The ruling could set a precedent for other cases like this in the future.
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