In an emotional session Thursday at the Sumedang District Court in West Java, the former rector of the Public Administration Institute (IPDN), I Nyoman Sumaryadi, wiped away tears as judges acquitted him on charges related to a student's death.
Catur Irrianto, who presided over the panel of judges hearing the case, was also moved to tears.
Chief prosecutor Happy Hadiastuti, however -- who had sought a three-year prison sentence for Sumaryadi -- said he would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
The panel of judges acquitted the defendant, Catur said, because the prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence.
"The prosecutors did not have evidence to prove the defendant was guilty in the fatal beating of Cliff Muntu in April 2007, of hindering police investigations or for issuing certificates to nine students held responsible for the death of their fellow student, Wahyu Hidayat," he said.
Sumaryadi, who was suspended as rector in April 2007 and replaced by Johanis Kaloh, was indicted for falsifying Cliff's death certificate; for prohibiting IPDN lecturers from asking for an autopsy; and for issuing bogus certificates to nine IPDN students allegedly involved in the beating.
Catur said the defendant had the authority to issue the certificates because he was still rector (at that time) and the issuance was approved by the Home Ministry.
The defendant did not hinder police investigations and, despite his position as rector, lacked authority to order the hospital to conduct an autopsy, Catur said.
"Autopsies are conducted at the behest of the deceased's parents and other relatives," he said.
Sumaryadi, who converted to Islam from Hindu only months before his appointment as rector in 2003, cried out "Allahu Akbar".
Another prosecutor, Sarta, said he was disappointed with the verdict, which he said was not in line with public expectations.
"That is why we will appeal to the Supreme Court," he said after the court session.
