T

he South Jakarta District Court has acquitted prominent spiritual guru Anand Krishna of sexual abuse charges lodged by a former disciple.

Presiding judge Albertina Ho said when reading the verdict on Tuesday that prosecutors had failed to prove that Anand sexually assaulted Tara Pradipta Laksmi, 20.

“The testimony heard and evidence submitted during the trial cannot establish that the defendant was guilty of violating Criminal Code Articles 290 and 294 on sexual harassment,” Albertine said, to the applause of Anand’s supporters in the courtroom.

Albertina also said that the forensic examination of Tara com pleted by a physician had not substantiated her allegations.

“The medical record shows there was no evidence of sexual harassment on her body,” she said.

Albertina said that under the law, testimony from witnesses alone was not sufficient for a conviction.

Prosecutors had indicted Anand for making sexual advances on Tara in 2009, asking that Anand be sentenced to two-and-a-half-years’ imprisonment.

Tara filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment in February 2010. Anand’s trial began six months later and has been full of drama and tension.

Hari Sasangka, the first judge appointed to oversee the case, was removed after allegations surfaced that he had a relationship with one of the witnesses.

Hari was transferred to the Ambon High Court and replaced by Albertine, a highly respected jurist.

Albertina subsequently asked witnesses to present their testimony again. However, many refused to return to court and stuck to their earlier statements.

In the 15-month trial, prosecutors and defense attorneys called on 24 witnesses and nine expert witnesses.

Defense lawyers said that the charges and the trial were part of a smear campaign mounted to discredit the spiritual teacher.

Meanwhile, Anand praised the judges’ decision.

“This is not my victory. This is a victory for everyone who strives for fairness before the law,” Anand told reporters.

The verdict proved that people could rely on the nation’s legal system, he added. “Now I know that we still have impartial and credible judges.”

Anand said that the protracted trial had exhausted him and his supporters.

The 55-year-old spiritual healer said that he would take a break from public life. “I want to spend some time alone in prayer,” he said.

Dozens of Anand’s supporters in the courtroom sighed in relief after the judge read out the not-guilty verdict. Some wept.

“Finally the truth has prevailed. We can’t stop crying because we’re just too happy,” Anand’s disciple Norma Harsono said.

Several prominent activists including Siti Musdah Mulia, Franz Magnis-Suseno and Djohan Effendi were also in the courtroom to show solidarity with Anand.

The family of Tara said she would challenge the verdict.

Tara’s mother, Wijarningsih, said that the battle would continue. “This is not over. I believe God knows the real truth,” she said. (lfr)