The Attorney General's Office Opens Voices on the Issue of Time Barriers Behind Ferdy Sambo's Death Sentence

JAKARTA - The Attorney General's Office has responded to the issue of imposing the death penalty on Ferdy Sambo in the case of the alleged premeditated murder of Yosua alias Brigadier J, which collided with the new Criminal Code due to take effect in 2026.

The public was asked not to speculate on this matter, let alone the issue that arose about the time delay so that Ferdy Sambo could be released from the death sentence.

"So there's no need to talk about speculation", said Junior Attorney General for General Crimes (Jampidum) of the Attorney General's Office Fadil Zumhana to reporters, Thursday, February 16.

Fadil also explained that convicts on death row could take various lengthy legal battles, ranging from appeals to clemency. So, it does take a long time.

"We are law enforcers bound by the positive law currently in effect, the panel of judges has decided on the death penalty FS. The accused has the right to make appeals, cassation, even to review, up to clemency, this is the legal remedy provided by law", he said.

However, Fadil continued, for filing an appeal against a trial verdict at first instance, the defendant could submit it within 7 days from the time the verdict was read.

"The time span is regulated by the Law on an appeal of 7 days to express a position, then there is an appeal if you are not satisfied too, you can cassation if you are not satisfied too, you can PK, and you can pardon because the president can do that", said Fadil.

Ferdy Sambo was sentenced to death in the premeditated murder case of Brigadier J. The former Head of the Propam Division was proven guilty.

In its decision, the panel of judges believed Ferdy Sambo had violated Article 340 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph 1 to (1) of the Criminal Code.

"Defendant Ferdy Sambo has been legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing a crime and participating in a premeditated murder together", Chief Judge Wahyu Iman Santosa said.