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Journalist killer gets life in prison
Down for the count: Nyoman Susrama, the main suspect in the murder of Radar Bali journalist Anak Agung Bagus Narendra Prabangsa, is sentenced to life imprisonment, on Monday
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span class="inline inline-right">Down for the count: Nyoman Susrama, the main suspect in the murder of Radar Bali journalist Anak Agung Bagus Narendra Prabangsa, is sentenced to life imprisonment, on Monday. The convict is the younger brother of Bangli regent I Nengah Arnawa. JP/Zul Trio Anggono
A panel of judges at Denpasar District Court sentenced Nyoman Susrama to life imprisonment Monday after finding him guilty of masterminding the murder of local journalist Anak Agung Bagus Narendra Prabangsa.
The verdict for Susrama, one of the nine defendants linked to the murder of the former Radar Bali daily journalist, was lighter than death sentence demanded by prosecutors.
Susrama was charged with violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder.
“The defendant is found legally and convincingly guilty of committing actions that claimed someone’s life,” presiding judge Djumain said while reading out the verdict.
“As an intellectual, the defendant has committed cruel actions instead of using his intelligence for good,” the judge said.
Among the points that earned the defendant heavier sentencing were his position as a committee member of the Bangli regency Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia organization, which, the judge said, should have motivated him to adhere to the ahimsa principle (to not hurt other people).
Susrama said he would appeal. “For God’s sake, I did not commit anything.”
Prabangsa’s murder was linked to his coverage of possible graft in several construction projects financed by government agencies in Bangli regency, in which Susrama was the supervisor.
The journalist was killed on Feb. 11, 2009 at Susrama’s house in Banjar Petak, Bangli.
Susrama’s remains were found five days later floating in Bungsil Bay in Karangasem regency, with wounds and bruises showing that he had been hit with a blunt instrument.
Hundreds of people packed the court room, tightly guarded by Bali Police personnel.
On the same day, the court also handed down verdicts to two other defendants, Komang Gde ST and Ida Bagus Adnyana Narbawa (alias “Gus Oblong”).
Komang Gde received a 20-year prison sentence. He was found guilty of abducting the victim and of taking him to the murder scene, as well as helping other defendants to hit the victim and dispose of the body in the sea. Komang Gde also claimed he would appeal.
In a separate trial, Gus Oblong received five years’ imprisonment, also for assisting other defendants to murder Prabangsa.
