T

he West Jakarta District Court convicted seven men for a series of mail bombings on Monday, handing down sentences that were more lenient than demanded by prosecutors.

Pepi Fernando was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for his role as the mastermind of the bombing campaign that targeted prominent figures in the capital, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Prosecutors demanded the court sentence Pepi, a 33-year-old documentary filmmaker, to life imprisonment.

Pepi’s close aide Hendi Suhartono received a sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment, while five other accomplices were sentenced to prison for terms ranging from 40 to 66 months.

The sentences were less than those typically levied on defendants prosecuted under the Terrorism Law, which carries a maximum penalty of death.

Asludin Hatjani, the attorney who represented Pepi, said he had a different opinion of the court’s decision. “The 18-year sentence is heavy enough on my client. The series of attacks did not claim many lives.”

Comr. Dodi Rahmawan, the former head of the East Jakarta Police’s criminal investigation unit, had his hand amputated after he was injured when a bomb sent to the Liberal Islam Network’s (JIL) offices in Utan Kayu exploded as he tried to defuse it.

A person was killed by a bomb placed by the group at the East Flood Canal in East Jakarta, according to the court.

“The total loss is little compared to [major] bombings,” Asludin said, adding that his client was considering whether to appeal his verdict to a higher court.

Pepi smiled throughout his hearing and was visibily relieved when the panel of judges, presided over by judge Moestofa, did not sentence him to execution or life imprisonment.

In their decision, the judges said that Pepi deserved a lenient sentence as he had demonstrated good behavior during trial, had honestly confessed his actions and had cooperated to the court.

“However, the defendant did not regret his actions, which caused injuries to other people,” Moestofa said.