Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Jakarta Metro Jaya Regional Police clarified  on Tuesday (16/9/2025) why suspects in the kidnapping and death of a bank branch head, Muhammad Ilham Pradipta (37), were not charged with premeditated murder.

“The intent of the suspects from the start was kidnapping, not killing,” said Senior Superintendent Wira Satya Triputra, the Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Metro Jaya Police. “Article 340 on premeditated murder applies only if there is deliberate intent to kill, which was absent here.”

The suspects targeted the bank branch head to access dormant bank accounts, following a tip from a suspect who randomly provided his business card. The operation, planned over a month, involved tracking the victim’s office after failing to recruit any compliant bank branch head. During the kidnapping, the victim resisted and was assaulted inside the vehicle.

Fifteen suspects, including civilians and two Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers, face charges under Article 328 of the Criminal Law on kidnapping and Article 333 of the Criminal Law on illegal deprivation of freedom causing injury or death, carrying a maximum penalty of 12 years. 

Authorities continue investigating how the suspects obtained sensitive banking information.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)