Prosecutors demand 20 years for ‘drunk driver’ Afriyani

Afriyani Susanti: (Antara/M Agung Rajasa)

State prosecutors demanded on Wednesday a 20-year prison term for Afriyani Susanti, the driver who allegedly knocked down and killed nine pedestrians in a horrific accident in Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Jan 22.

Prosecutor Soimah charged Afriyani with premeditated murder as stipulated under Article 338 of the Criminal Code and reckless fatal driving as stipulated under the 2009 Traffic Law.

“We demand a 20-year prison term for the defendant,” she said during the hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court.

Afriyani, who was seen crying during the trial, told the court that she would deliver her own defense statement. The 29-year-old woman said that she would need two weeks to compile her statement.

Presiding Judge Antonius Widyanto, however, denied her request and said that the court would only give her one week.

“We are running out of time. We will only give you one week to prepare your statement,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

According to Antonius, Afriyani is scheduled to read her defense statement on Wednesday, Aug. 8.

Afriyani also stood trial at the West Jakarta District Court on drug trafficking and drug possession in relation to the incident. Prosecutors said that Afriyani, together with her friends who were traveling with her; Deni Mulyana, Ary Sendy Tridiarto, Adistina Putri Grani and Pritta Audya Ramadhanie, had illegally purchased and received narcotics.

Afriyani and her friends had attended a party the night before the accident. She was allegedly under the influence of drugs and driving at high speed on Jl. Ridwan Rais in Gambir, losing control of her vehicle and swerving into 13 pedestrians. Nine pedestrians were killed and four were injured in the incident. (lfr)