Tuesday, October 3, 2023

AGO Asked to Explain Light Sentence Demanded in Novel Baswedan's Acid Attack Trial

Tara Marchelin
June 29, 2020 | 10:02 pm
SHARE
Anti-corruption investigator Novel Baswedan at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Jan. 6. (Antara Photo/Galih Pradipta )
Anti-corruption investigator Novel Baswedan at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Jan. 6. (Antara Photo/Galih Pradipta )

Jakarta. A member of the House of Representatives' Commission III, Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi, said on Monday the Attorney General's Office should explain why prosecutors had only demanded a one-year sentence for two police officers accused of an acid attack on anti-corruption investigator Novel Baswedan back in 2017.  

On June 11, the public prosecutor at the North Jakarta District Court demanded a one-year jail term for Ronny Bugis and Rahmat Kadir Mahulette for their involvement in the attack, which caused severe injury to Novel's left eye. 

The attackers were charged with article 353 verse 2 and article 55 verse 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), which carry a maximum jail sentence of seven years for "premeditated assault that causes severe injury."

"People have been questioning the prosecutor's motive [in demanding such a light sentence]. Similar cases in the past have resulted in heavier sentences. The Attorney General's Office must be more transparent about this case," Aboe Bakar said during a meeting with Attorney General S.T. Burhanuddin. 

Advertisement

In 2018, prosecutors at the Pekalongan District Court demanded an eight-year jail term for a man named Ruslam who threw acid at his wife. 

In 2019, prosecutors at the Bengkulu District Court charged Rika Sonata with 10 years in jail for hiring a man to commit an acid attack.

In 2020, prosecutors at the same court also demanded a 20-year sentence for a man called Heriyanto who was also accused of committing an acid attack. 

Aboe Bakar said the public is disappointed that the prosecutors in Novel's case seem to side with the attackers.

"We need to know if proper procedures have been followed by the prosecutors. Has the Attorney General been instructing them?" he said added.

Another Commission III member from the National Democratic Party (NasDem), Taufik Basari, said the prosecution in Novel's case has been "irrational and strange." 

Taufik said the Attorney General's Office should explain its involvement in the case to the public in order to maintain public trust toward the institution. 

"I have read the prosecutor's sentencing demand and found some irrational and strange aspects in it. I think it's important that the Attorney General's Office shows the public that it can be trusted," Taufik said.

Attorney General Burhanuddin said his office will evaluate the case.

However, he said the public prosecutor at the North Jakarta District Court is not to blame since his action was based on facts presented at the trial

"We'll evaluate the performance of the prosecutor. We'll find out the reason why he demanded a light sentence. I had no knowledge of his strategy for the trial," Burhanuddin said.

"We will also compare the prosecution's demand with the court ruling. If they don't match, then we'll have something to investigate," he said.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

POPULAR READS


Business 4 hours ago

KB Bukopin to Issue $20m Green Credit to EV Firm INVI

These green credits are expected to support the development of Indonesia’s EV ecosystem.
News 11 hours ago

A Riled Trump Sounds Off Outside the New York Fraud Trial

The trial could cost him control of Trump Tower and other prized properties.
News 14 hours ago

Constitutional Court Upholds Validity of Job Creation Law

In a tight decision, all nine Constitutional Court justices voted 5-4 in favor of the government.
Special Updates 14 hours ago

Bekasi Sneakers Expo Returns to Summarecon Mall Bekasi

As many as 22 tenant booths of various brands --including Wilio Indonesia, SNDRN, and Yozugoods-- joined the 2023 Bekasi Sneakers Expo.
Business 15 hours ago

ASEAN, Canada A Step Closer to Concluding Trade Deal by 2025

ASEAN and Canada are moving a step closer towards that target as both sides have recently held their fifth round of negotiations.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED