Friends Mention Yudha Arfandi's Actions Towards Dante at the Swimming Pool as Normal

Kapanlagi.com - The continuation of the trial for the death of Andante Khalif Pramudityo alias Dante, the son of Tamara Tyasmara and Angger Dimas, was held again at the East Jakarta District Court on Monday, September 2, 2024. In this session, defendant Yudha Arfandi presented five witnesses, one of whom was his friend, Karel Dominggus.

Karel Dominggus testified about the incident at the Palem swimming pool in Duren Sawit, where Dante lost his life. During the trial, Karel admitted to having seen CCTV footage showing Yudha teaching Dante how to swim.

He emphasized that he watched the footage on his own initiative, not because Yudha asked him to. “It was my own will (not because Yudha Arfandi asked). I wanted to know what happened, so I looked at the CCTV,” Karel said in court.

1. Testimony of a Friend

Dante's Trial © KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

While watching the CCTV footage, Karel heard a woman mention that Yudha's act of submerging or drowning Dante was inappropriate. However, Karel, who has been friends with Yudha since 2012, denied that his friend had any malicious intent towards Dante.

"It doesn't register in my mind, it's impossible (for Yudha to want to drown Dante) even though I saw (the CCTV)," Karel said to the judge.

"Because I know Yudha well," he continued.

When further questioned by the Chief Judge, Immanuel, about Yudha's act of submerging Dante 12 times, Karel explained that it was part of a breathing exercise.

"Then what about the part of submerging and submerging?" Immanuel asked.

"Yes, that was a breathing exercise," Karel replied

2. Fair Assessment

Although acknowledging that Yudha trained Dante hard, he still considers the actions to be fair. "I consider it fair," said Karel.

"Honestly, Your Honor," Karel continued.

However, Karel's testimony became increasingly controversial when Judge Immanuel asked why, if the method was fair, Dante ended up dying. "Well, that. I don't want to answer. I have the right not to answer," Karel said.

Nonetheless, Karel believes that Yudha Arfandi indeed trained Dante to swim hard. He even compared the intensity of Coach Dono's swimming training to Yudha Arfandi's training of Dante.

"Is this what you mean, Yudha is just like Coach Dono in swimming, training (swimming) hard? Then after watching the CCTV, you consider it fair?" asked Immanuel.

"This is one of Arfandi's training methods," replied Karel.

(kpl/far/phi)