Selling Calligraphy Even Though Only Bags Of Visit Visas, Pakistani Citizens In Aceh Sued 18 Months In Prison

ACEH - A Pakistani citizen named Fazal Abbas was sentenced to 18 months in prison by the public prosecutor (JPU) for being proven to have abused his visit visa in Indonesia.

In addition to the prison sentence, the defendant was also required to pay a fine of Rp. 10 million or a subsidiary of two months in prison.

The claim was read out by Public Prosecutor Alfian during a hearing at the Banda Aceh District Court, Wednesday, May 21.

The trial was chaired by the Chairman of the Panel of Judges Said Hasan, as well as two judges members Zulkarnain and M Yusuf. The defendant was present accompanied by a language translator.

"The defendant Fazal Abbas is legally and convincingly guilty of violating Article 122 of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration," said Public Prosecutor Alfian in the trial quoted from Antara.

According to the prosecutor, Fazal Abbas entered Indonesia via Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, in December 2024 with a visit visa.

But a month later, he went to Banda Aceh by land transportation and started selling calligraphy paintings.

"The defendant's visa to Indonesia is a visit visa, not to trade or carry out business activities," said Public Prosecutor Alfian.

The calligraphic painting sold by the defendant, according to his statement, was the work of his younger brother who was in Palestine. In his memorandum of defense, Fazal Abbas asked the panel of judges to be acquitted of all charges.

He admitted that he had a health problem and called his country's geopolitical condition a consideration.

"I beg to be released because of my poor health condition. In addition, the situation in my country is not good, especially related to diplomatic relations with India," said Fazal Abbas.

The trial will resume on Wednesday next week with an agenda for reading the verdict from the panel of judges.