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Blasphemy defendant should be admitted to mental health unit, psychiatrist says
A psychiatrist has confirmed that Suzethe Margaret, who is standing trial for blasphemy, should be treated in a mental health hospital for paranoid schizophrenia.
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Seeking justice: Suzethe Margaret (left), a schizophrenic woman who has been charged with blasphemy, and her lawyers, Elisabeth Puji Astuti (center) and Alfonsus Atu Kota leave Cibinong District Court in Bogor, West Java, after a hearing session on Monday. (JP/Theresia Sufa)
A
psychiatrist has confirmed that Suzethe Margaret, who is standing trial for blasphemy, should be treated in a mental health hospital for paranoid schizophrenia.
Suzethe was reported to the police in June after a video – showing her stepping into a mosque in Sentul, West Java, while wearing shoes and accompanied by her dog – went viral.
Dr. Henny, a psychiatrist from Bhayangkara Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, shared the psychiatric assessment of Suzethe in a hearing session at Cibinong District Court in Bogor, West Java, on Monday.
“When she first came to the Bhayangkara Police Hospital on June 30, the defendant was restless and she was not able to speak. She did not understand that she needed treatment,” said Henny.
“Entering the mosque accompanied by her dog was a result of her mental disorder since, by the time the incident happened, she had not taken medicine for six months.”
Henny suggested that given her severe mental condition, the defendant should be closely monitored and treated in a mental hospital.
“When the symptoms occur, the actions taken by the defendant can harm not only herself but also others,” she added.
