Purse-snatching that led to manslaughter case spotlights Indonesia's use of restorative justice

Experts say it's misapplied, used to dismiss cases and reduce overcrowding in prisons

- Karina Tehusijarana Indonesia Correspondent

A purse-snatching case, involving Mr Hogi Minaya and his wife Arista (both above), put Indonesia's use of restorative justice – an out-of-court method of resolving criminal cases – in the spotlight.

(PHOTO: DETIKCOM/JAUH HARI WAWAN S)

Purse-snatching is pretty common in Indonesia's cities and tourist areas, with the jambret, as this kind of thief is locally known, usually targeting pedestrians from a moving motorbike.

But one particular case in Sleman, Yogyakarta, has drawn nationwide attention and put the country's use of restorative justice - an out-of-court method of resolving criminal cases - in the spotlight.

Mr Hogi Minaya was driving his car along the Layang Janti bridge in Sleman when he spotted his wife, Ms Arista, riding a motorcycle on her way back from market.

They decided to make their way home, riding side by side. Not long after, two men on a motorcycle snatched Ms Arista's bag and Mr Hogi gave chase in his car.

This ended with the men's motorcycle crashing into a wall and both the motorcycle's driver and pillion rider dying.

Police subsequently named Mr Hogi a suspect for vehicular manslaughter, claiming that he had caused the purse-snatchers' deaths.

The incident happened in April 2025 but went viral in January after Ms Arista posted about it on social media in a bid to seek public support for her husband.

"I don't want my husband to be detained because he is not a criminal. He was just trying to protect his wife," she said.

Police and prosecutors said the case would be resolved through restorative justice methods and facilitated a mediation between Mr Hogi and the purse-snatchers' families.

Ms Arista even offered to give money to the families, in return for their agreement to close the case.

The term "restorative justice" has been a buzzword in Indonesian criminal justice, particularly since the issuance of a police regulation in 2021.