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| Demak Resident Defends Himself But Ends Up a Murder Suspect. |
A legal case in Demak has sparked public attention after a local resident, identified as DS, was charged under Article 338 of the Indonesian Criminal Code for murder—even though, according to his lawyer, he was only acting in self-defense. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 18, 2025, in Waru Village, Mranggen District, Demak Regency. A fight between DS and three other men ended tragically when one of them died after being taken to the hospital.
DS’s legal advisor, Kumarudin, S.H., held a press conference at the Mranggen Police Station on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to seek justice for his client. He explained that the altercation started when DS was attacked and beaten with a wooden stick by three men. “DS was assaulted by three people, so of course he fought back. During the scuffle, two attackers fled, and one fainted,” said Kumarudin in front of dozens of journalists.
The unconscious man was rushed to Pelita Anugerah Hospital but was later pronounced dead. According to Kumarudin, DS voluntarily reported the incident to the Mranggen Police as an act of responsibility. However, to his surprise, DS was then named a suspect for murder and assault. “The charges are not in line with the facts. DS was defending himself after being attacked first. The proper article should be Article 49 of the Criminal Code on self-defense or Article 351 paragraph 3 on assault causing death,” explained Kumarudin.
Meanwhile, Mranggen Police Chief AKP Kumaidi expressed a different view, stating that the use of Article 338 was based on proper legal procedures after reviewing witness statements. “Two witnesses confirmed that DS repeatedly hit the victim until he fainted. These accounts match DS’s own statement. The investigators have applied the relevant article accordingly,” said AKP Kumaidi during a press briefing.
The dispute between DS’s legal team and the police has drawn increasing public scrutiny. As of now, the investigation is still ongoing at Mranggen Police Station. Locals are hoping for a fair and transparent legal process that upholds justice for all parties. Some residents believe this case highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine self-defense and excessive force during an altercation.
The outcome of DS’s case will likely set a precedent for how the justice system handles similar incidents in the future. Many are waiting to see whether DS’s actions will be legally recognized as legitimate self-defense or ruled as criminal overreaction.