"We declare the defendant guilty of twice committing corruption based on the indictment," presiding judge Afiantara said at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday, as reported by kompas.com.

The sentence is lower than that sought by Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors, of 17 years imprisonment and an Rp 800 million fine, or an additional eight months in jail.

The panel of judges found Budi guilty of abusing his authority in 2008 by channeling short-term financial assistance (FPJP) worth Rp 689 billion to keep Bank Century afloat, and by falsely claiming that the bank posed a systemic threat to the country's financial industry, making it eligible for Rp 6.7 trillion from the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).

Afiantara said there had been insufficient evidence to warrant Bank Century's need for the FPJP; yet the assistance had been given, even though Bank Century did not fulfill the FPJP criteria. Furthermore, he stated there had been no connection between the transfer of the FPJP and a potential global economic crisis. 

The presiding judge added that Budi had damaged BI's reputation and, thus, had set a bad example to fellow officials. Even worse, his actions had caused state losses of Rp 7 trillion.

Budi was also found guilty of enriching himself with Rp 1 billion. The money was paid to Budi by Bank Century shareholder Robert Tantular in the form of a loan. 

Afiantara said he and his colleagues on the bench had considered certain mitigating factors, namely the defendant's courteous demeanor throughout the trial, his family responsibilities and the fact that he had no previous convictions. (fss)

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