A member of Aceh's Polda Brimob unit, Bripda Muhammad Rio, is suspected of joining Russian mercenaries after deserting in December 2025. He has been dishonorably discharged from Polri due to prior ethics violations and unauthorized absence. Rio claims promotion to Letda rank and substantial salary plus bonus in rubles.
Bripda Muhammad Rio, a member of Aceh's Polda Brimob unit, has drawn attention after allegedly deserting duty since December 8, 2025. According to Polda Aceh's Head of Public Relations, Kombes Pol Joko Krisdiyanto, Rio failed to report for service and provided no official explanation. Search efforts included visits to his parents' home and residence, issuance of two official summons letters, and eventually a Wanted Persons List (DPO).
Prior to deserting, Rio underwent a Komisi Kode Etik Polri (KKEP) trial on May 14, 2025, for ethics violations involving an affair, siri marriage, and alleged domestic violence (KDRT). The sanctions imposed were a two-year demotion transfer and placement in the Brimob headquarters services unit (yanma). Aceh Police Chief, Irjen Pol Marzuki Ali Basyah, stated that Rio had been physically inactive since the trial and had been punished twice for KDRT as well as desertion, rendering him unfit to remain a Polri member.
On December 19, 2025, Rio departed from Jakarta to Russia via China. On January 7, 2026, he sent WhatsApp messages to Brimob Polda Aceh officials, including photos and videos showing his involvement with a Russian mercenary division in the Donbass region. In the messages, Rio claimed to hold the equivalent rank of Letda and receive a monthly salary of RUB 210,000, approximately Rp 42 million, plus an initial bonus of RUB 2 million or Rp 420 million.
Rio's dismissal was decided through an in absentia KKEP trial in January 2026. The Aceh Police Chief admitted not knowing Rio's motives for joining the Russian forces, which are engaged in conflict with Ukraine. The case highlights discipline issues among Polri personnel.
