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Dangdut singer jailed for three years over child molestation
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Dangdut singer Saipul Jamil smiles ahead of his verdict trial at the North Jakarta District Court on Tuesday. The judges declared Saipul guilty of child molestation and sentenced him to three years in prison. (Kompas.com /Andreas Lukas Altobeli)
T
he North Jakarta District Court has declared prominent dangdut singer Saipul Jamil guilty of child molestation and sentenced him to three years in prison.
Saipul, also known as Ipul, was proven guilty of molesting a 17-year-old male fan identified as DS, causing trauma to the latter, presiding judge Ifa Sudewi told the court on Tuesday.
"When the [incident] took place, the victim was still underage. It was also an inappropriate action conducted by a public figure," Ifa said, as quoted by kompas.com.
The sentence is lower than prosecutors' demands of seven years behind bars and Rp 100 million (US$7,466) in fines.
Saipul, a recording artist who also worked as a judge in a popular dangdut singing contest run by a private TV station, was arrested on Feb. 18. He was charged with child molestation following reports filed by DS, his fan who had been in the audience of the singing contest show.
After getting acquainted, Saipul asked DS to stay overnight in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. Ipul also asked for sexual favors, a request turned down by the victim. However, DS told police that Ipul had molested him during the stay over just before dawn, while he had still been sleeping. (rin)
