Five third-year cadets of Semarang Police Academy have been sentenced to prison for assaulting their junior, second-year cadet Mohammad Adam, which resulted in his death.
Gibrail Charthens Manorek, Martinus Bentatone and Gilbert Jordi Nahumury al Jordi were sentenced to six months and 20 days in prison, while Christian Atmadibrata Sermunes received a 1-year sentence, as the Semarang District Court's judges announced their verdict on Wednesday.
Presiding judge Antonius Widijanto considered that the defendants had violated the Criminal Code's (KUHP) Article 170 on assault.
Meanwhile, another defendant, Rinox Lewi Wattinema was sentenced to seven months in prison in a trial presided over by Judge Casmaya. Rinox was considered guilty of violating the same article, as well as Article 56 of the KUHP on crimes of ommission.
The five defendants received a lighter verdict than the prosecutor’s indictment, which demanded three years in prison.
The case of Adam’s assault and death involved fourteen third-year cadets, nine of whom have been sentenced to six months in jail.
Meanwhile, Christian’s legal advisor Aris Bonggasalu questioned the judges’ verdict against his client, which was longer than the verdicts against the other defendants.
“[Christian received] the same indictment for violating the same article, but why was he sentenced differently?” he said, “I will seek further legal action.”
The defendants, legal advisors and prosecutors stated they would think about the judge’s verdict. The defendants will have seven days to request an appeal. (nmn/ebf)
Seeking advice: Four convicted third-year Semarang Police Academy (Akpol) cadets sentenced to six months in prison ask fo legal advice from their lawyers in a hearing on Wednesday. (JP/Suherdjoko)