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Appeals court raises prison term for ex-minister Syahrul
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Former agriculture minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo (center) enters the courtroom on July 11, 2024, ahead of his verdict hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court in Jakarta. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
T
he Jakarta High Court on Tuesday increased the prison sentence for former agriculture minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who was convicted of soliciting bribes from other officials at the Agriculture Ministry, following an appeal by prosecutors.
The appeals verdict upheld the ruling by the Jakarta Corruption Court that found the NasDem Party politician guilty of accepting bribes and added two additional years to the 10-year prison sentence handed down by the primary court in July.
The appellate bench, led by presiding judge Artha Theresia, cited the fact that Syahrul failed to set a good example for his subordinates and instead encouraged bribery as aggravating factors that warranted a heavier punishment.
“The appeals court concluded that the prison sentence imposed by the lower court has yet to bring justice and therefore must be increased,” said judge Artha in the trial on Tuesday, as quoted by Kompas.
The court also ordered Syahrul to pay Rp 44.3 billion (US$2.8 million) in restitution, higher than the Rp 14.1 billion ordered by the lower court, and increased Syahrul’s fine from Rp 300 million to Rp 500 million.
Read also: Former agriculture minister gets 10 years in prison for bribery
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor Meyer Volmar Simanjuntak welcomed the appeals court ruling, saying that the 12-year prison sentence was what the prosecutors had demanded during the trial at the lower court, Antara reported.
