Roro Putri

Roro Putri: Indonesian Woman Who Spent 24 Years in Jail for a Crime She Didn’t Commit

A Tragic Case of Wrongful Imprisonment

Roro Fitria, also known as Roro Putri, is an Indonesian woman who spent 24 years in jail for a crime she didn't commit. She was convicted of killing her husband in 1994, despite the lack of evidence against her. The case attracted widespread attention due to its apparent miscarriage of justice.

The Trial and Conviction

Roro was arrested in 1994 after the death of her husband, Sigit Yudha Prasetyo. The police claimed that she had confessed to killing him, but Roro denied the charges and maintained her innocence. The trial was held in the Central Jakarta District Court, where Roro was found guilty and sentenced to death.

The Appeal and Commutation

Roro appealed the verdict, and in 1996, the Jakarta High Court reduced her sentence to life imprisonment. In 2006, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono granted Roro clemency, commuting her sentence to 20 years in prison.

The Investigation and Retrial

In 2015, the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) reopened the case and conducted a new investigation. The investigation found that the evidence against Roro was weak and unreliable, and that the confession had been coerced.

In 2016, the Supreme Court ordered a retrial, which began in 2017. After reviewing the evidence and hearing new testimonies, the court acquitted Roro of all charges in 2018.

The Aftermath

After spending 24 years in jail for a crime she didn't commit, Roro was finally released in 2018. She has since spoken out about her experience and advocated for reforms in the Indonesian justice system.

The case of Roro Putri is a reminder of the importance of a fair trial and the dangers of wrongful imprisonment. It also highlights the need for a justice system that is based on evidence and the rule of law.