There are only nine suspects in Vina's murder, Pegi faces the death penalty

Pegi was charged under Article 340 of the Criminal Code regarding the premeditated murder of Vina and Rizky in Cirebon.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

The police present Pegi Setiawan, who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the rape and murder of Vina Dewi Arsita, a student in Cirebon Regency, at a press conference at the West Java Regional Police Headquarters, Bandung City, West Java, Sunday (26/5/2024). Pegi was charged with Article 340 of the Criminal Code regarding premeditated murder.

BANDUNG, KOMPAS — West Java Regional Police present Pegi Setiawan, suspect in the case of Vina's murder Dewi Arsita, a student in Cirebon, on Sunday (26/5/2024) in Bandung, West Java. Pegi was charged with Article 340 of the Criminal Code concerning premeditated murder and faces the death penalty. On the same occasion, the police also announced that there were only nine suspects in the case.

Head of Public Relations Division, Commissioner Jules Abast, along with the Director of General Crime Investigation of West Java Regional Police, Commissioner Surawan, directly led a press conference featuring Pegi at 11.30 AM. The short-haired and slender man wore a blue prisoner uniform.

Jules said that Pegi was suspected of carrying out the premeditated murder of Vina and Muhammad Rizky alias Egi using sharp weapons, stones and wood. Pegi also committed sexual harassment by raping Vina, who was underage.

The rape and murder of Vina, who was 16 years old at the time, on the flyover in Talun District, Cirebon, occurred on August 27 2016. The perpetrators, who were a motorbike group, also killed Vina's lover, Egi.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Marliyana (33), Vina's older sister, shows a photo of her sister at their home on Captain Samadikun Street in Cirebon City, West Java, on Tuesday (14/5/2024). Vina was a student who became a victim of murder and rape in 2016.

The police have arrested eight perpetrators and processed them to court. Seven of them were sentenced to life imprisonment, while one perpetrator, named Saka, who is still a minor, received a sentence of eight years in prison.

"The violated articles are Article 340 of the Criminal Code and Article 81 of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection. Pegi is facing the death penalty and life imprisonment," said Jules.

Also read: After being arrested, it was revealed that Pegi was suspected of being the mastermind behind Vina's murder

Surawan explained that from examining more than two witnesses, it was revealed that Pegi was the mastermind behind Vina's rape and murder. Apart from that, Pegi also asked other perpetrators to finish off Egi.

He revealed that Pegi ordered other perpetrators to chase Egi and Vina while they were passing by on a motorcycle in front of them. Pegi claimed that he had a problem with Vina's lover.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Police visited the home of Pegi Setiawan, one of the three fugitives in the Vina murder case, in Simaja Block, Kepompongan Village, Talun, Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Wednesday (22/5/2024).

They kicked the motorbike until Egi and Vina fell. The two victims were taken to an empty garden. Egi was also tortured with sharp weapons, wood and stones until he died.

Vina, who was unconscious, was sexually assaulted by the perpetrators before being killed. Pegi was the first to have sex with Vina.

"Based on the testimony of seven convicts, Pegi asked them to chase the two victims. We are still investigating Pegi's motive for having issues with the victim Egi," he said.

“I did not commit murder and do not know the witnesses. "I am willing to die for the truth," said Pegi.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

A number of residents prayed at Vina's grave at the Kesinangan Public Cemetery, Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Tuesday (14/5/2024). Vina was a student who became a victim of murder and rape in 2016.

I did not commit murder and do not know the witnesses. I am willing to die for the truth.

Nine suspects

Surawan stated that there were only nine perpetrators in the case of the murder of Vina and Rizky. Meanwhile, the names Dani and Andi, who were listed in the wanted list, are merely fictitious based on the testimony of other convicts.

"These convicted persons are afraid to speak the truth because they are afraid of Pegi. In fact, Pegi is the last perpetrator in this case," he said.

Also read: Vina Case Film Reaches 4.5 Million Viewers, Pursuit of Perpetrator Begins to Bear Results

Previously, since the beginning of Vina's murder case, the Cirebon City Police named 11 suspects. As reported by Kompas, September 3 2016, the Cirebon City Police arrested eight of 11 suspects from a motorbike group who were suspected of committing acts of violence against two underage victims, namely Muhammad Rizky (16), and his female friend, Vina (16), until the victim died. In fact, Vina, a resident of Samadikun, Cirebon City, was raped before being killed.

Then, when this case was reopened, West Java Regional Police stated that they were pursuing three fugitive suspects in Vina's murder. Polda also released the physical characteristics of the suspects.

The head of the West Java Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning Agency, Siska Gerfianti, hopes that the authorities can fully uncover and uphold justice for those involved in the incident.

"Hopefully the authorities can carry out an optimal investigation so that they can uncover this case completely," said Siska.