Mantan Bupati Langkat Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin Divonis Free Kasus Kerangkeng Manusia

JAKARTA - The panel of judges at the Stabat District Court (PN), Langkat Regency, North Sumatra handed down acquittal to the former Regent of Langkat Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin for the crime of trafficking in persons (TPPO).

"The trial, stated that the defendant Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin was not proven guilty as the public prosecutor's indictment," said Chief Judge Andriansyah when reading the verdict at the Stabat District Court, Langkat, North Sumatra, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 8.

In its ruling, the panel of judges requested that the rights and dignity of the defendant Terbit Rencana Perangin-Angin be restored in this case.

The case that ensnared the issuance of a Wind War Plan began with the discovery of a human cage practice at his private residence, in Raja Tengah Village, Kuala District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra on January 19, 2022.

This human cage is said to be used to 'distance' oil palm plantation workers belonging to the Terbit Plan Warin-Angin.

However, the issuance of the Warin-Angin Plan to claim that the human cage measuring 6 meters x 6 meters divided into two rooms is a cell that fosters drug abuse perpetrators.

The police said the human cage did not yet have a permit, and the National Narcotics Agency emphasized that the cage in the Terbit Rencana Perangin-Angin house cannot be called a rehabilitation place.

"Freeing the defendant from all charges by the public prosecutor, restoring the rights of the defendant in his abilities, as well as the dignity. Declaring that the request for restitution cannot be accepted," said Andriansyah.

Head of the General Crime Section of the Langkat Kejari, Hendra Abdi Sinaga, emphasized that his party would take legal action against the acquittal decision.

"The Public Prosecutor's Office of Langkat at the trial has declared an appeal," he said.

Because, previously the Public Prosecutor had demanded that the defendant Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin be sentenced to 14 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 500 million provided that if he was not paid, then he was replaced with six months in prison.

In addition, said Hendra, his party also charged the defendant to pay restitution fees for eleven victims and heirs amounting to Rp2.3 billion.

"The prosecutor assessed that the defendant was proven to have violated Article 2 Paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 11 of Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of the Crime of Trafficking in Persons as stated in the fourth indictment," said Hendra Abdi Sinaga.