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Death sentence sought for accused mastermind of Bengkulu rape, murder
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Showing solidarity – Residents put their signatures on a white cloth emblazoned with "Pray for YY" in a Car Free Day event in Surakarta, Central Java, on May 8. A 14-year-old student of state junior high school SMP Padang Ulak Tanding, Rejang Lebong regency, Bengkulu, was raped and murdered by 14 men and boys in May. (Tempo/Bram Selo Agung)
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rosecutors have asked the Curup District Court’s judicial panel to impose the death penalty on Zainal, one of several people on trial in connection with the rape and murder of a 14-year-old student of state junior high school SMP Padang Ulak Tanding, Rejang Lebong regency, Bengkulu.
The prosecution team argued in a hearing on Thursday that Zainal acted both as the mastermind and the main actor in the incident, which led to the death of the girl. The trial, presided over by lead judge Heny Faridha and two other panel members, Hendry Sumardi and Fakhrudin, was closed to the public.
During the trial, prosecutors also sought a 20-year imprisonment for four other accused, namely Bobi, Faizal Eldo Syasiah, Suket and Tomi Wijaya. The prosecution team was initially scheduled to read out its charge against another defendant, who is still 13 years old, in in a recent session, but it was postponed until next Thursday.
The defendants’ lawyer Christian Lesmana said his clients were charged with violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) and Law No. 35/2014 on child protection. “They faced different charges and particularly for Zainal the prosecutors had sought the death penalty,” he said as quoted by tempo.co.
The rape was allegedly perpetrated by 14 people, eight of whom were children. Seven perpetrators considered underage have been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison each. One perpetrator is still at large. (ebf)
