Prosecutors demanded the Corruption Court sentence former Southeast Aceh regent Armen Desky to four years in jail for his involvement in a corruption case that caused Rp 21.2 billion (US$2.25 million) in state losses.
"We demand a panel of judges declare the defendant Armen Desky guilty as charged and sentence him to four years in jail and a Rp 300-million fine," prosecutor Agus Salim read the demand Wednesday.
Armen is charged with two articles on enriching oneself, other people or a corporation as well as receiving gratuities. Prosecutors, however, after considering all the evidence and witness testimonies declared that Armen had only violated the first article carrying a maximum 20-year jail term. Prosecutors also demanded an additional eight-month jail term if Armen failed to pay the fine.
"The defendant must also return Rp 5.5 billion of personal benefits he gained as well as the Rp 200 million he paid to the KPK," Agus said.
The case implicating Armen occurred from 2004 to 2006, during which time he frequently asked the Southeast Aceh finance division head Ibnu Hasim to withdraw money from the regency's account and transfer it to his personal account.
"The defendant also regularly asked the treasurer to provide him with travel expenses that were higher than the regulated limit," Agus said.
Aside from the financial benefits, Armen also distributed the money to several other people including Southeast Aceh Secretary Martin Desky (Rp 1.89 billion), Ibnu Hasim (Rp 1.3 billion), treasury sub-division head M. Ridwan (Rp 250 million) and petty cash office head Abdul Manan (Rp 412 million).
The defendant also distributed the money to the regional offices of several central institutions, such as the National Land Agency (Rp 25.8 million), Central Statistic Agency (Rp 162 million), Religious Affairs Ministry (Rp 136 million) and tax offices (Rp 89.5 million).
"The defendant later told his subordinates to make fictitious reports about the distributed funds," said Agus.
Previously Armen admitted he had distributed the money and falsified reports, but said it was due to a military emergency occurring in Southeast Aceh at the time.
Commenting on the demands, Armen said he would read his own plea in the next session on Wednesday. Armen is the latest regional leader to face corruption charges at the Corruption Court.
Some other regional leaders have been sentenced by the Court for different cases related to a fire engine procurement project.
Former regional leaders charged with corruption include, among others, former Medan mayor Abdillah, who is currently serving a five-year jail sentence, and former Medan deputy mayor Ramli Lubis, who received a four-year jail term. Former Makassar mayor Baso Amiruddin Maula and former Riau governor Saleh Djasit are also serving four-year sentences.
Former West Java governor Danny Setiawan and his two subordinates have also been jailed for graft.
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