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12 Indonesian citizens released from death sentence: Ministry
The Foreign Ministryâs directorate of legal aid and protection of Indonesian nationals overseas said on Tuesday that throughout 2015, the government had secured the release of 12 Indonesian citizens from death sentences in Saudi Arabia
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he Foreign Ministry's directorate of legal aid and protection of Indonesian nationals overseas said on Tuesday that throughout 2015, the government had secured the release of 12 Indonesian citizens from death sentences in Saudi Arabia.
With the recent release, the number of Indonesians freed from death row in Saudi Arabia since 2011 has reached 68 people.
According to ministry records there are 24 Indonesian citizens currently at risk of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, whose legal processes are ongoing. Of the total, 12 people face murder charges, nine are on adultery charges and three face black magic charges.
The ministry said that recently, the Indonesian government had managed to release Rika Mustikawati, an Indonesian citizen from Tanah Sareal, Bogor. In a trial on May 15, 2012, a general court in Bisha City, Saudi Arabia, sentenced Rika to death for allegedly performing witchcraft on her female employer.
'When the court handed down Rika's death sentence, the ministry's directorate of legal aid and protection of Indonesian nationals overseas straight away informed her family members,' said the ministry as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Tuesday.
On Nov. 14, 2012, a Saudi appeals court annulled the verdict and requested the Bisha general court to try Rika's case again with a new panel of judges. This outcome was achieved thanks to legal assistance jointly provided by the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) Jeddah and a hired lawyer.
After a string of hearings, the Bisha court released Rika from death row, imposing on her only three years in prison.
The ministry says among the actions it has taken to defend and release Indonesian nationals on death row has been asking for clemency from the Saudi Arabian king.
'Indonesian representatives abroad have continued to make use of the good momentum created by recent meetings between Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi and Saudi Arabia's king and foreign minister to accelerate the settlement of legal problems affecting Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia,' said the ministry. (ebf)(++++)
