Criminal Liability of Lone Wolf Perpetrators in Terrorism Offenses: An Islamic Criminal Law Perspective

Lone wolf terrorism is a form of terrorism perpetrated independently by an individual without direct involvement in a terrorist organization. This mode of operation raises questions about the criminal liability of perpetrators under both Indonesian positive criminal law and Islamic criminal law. This study aims to analyze the criminal liability of lone wolf terrorism perpetrators under Indonesian positive criminal law and examine it from the perspective of Islamic criminal law. This study adopts a normative legal research method incorporating a statutory approach, a conceptual approach, and a comparative approach. Legal materials were collected through a literature review and analyzed qualitatively using a descriptive-analytical approach. The findings indicate that terrorist acts committed by individuals do not eliminate criminal liability, provided that the constituent elements of the offense and the perpetrator’s culpability are established in accordance with applicable legal provisions. From the perspective of Islamic criminal law, acts of lone wolf terrorism can be examined through the concept of jarimah hirabah if the relevant legal elements are satisfied, particularly those involving violence or threats that cause fear and disrupt public security. Determining criminal liability and applicable sanctions requires consideration of the characteristics of the act and the elements of the jarimah that are fulfilled. The analysis further draws on maqasid al-shariah, particularly hifz al-nafs (the protection of life), as a foundational principle for safeguarding life and preventing harm. Therefore, the criminal liability of lone wolf terrorism perpetrators must be analyzed based on the provisions of positive criminal law and the principles of Islamic criminal law, while upholding justice and the protection of human life