Agus Bentung's Camp Claims No Witnesses, Will Appeal Judge's Decision

JAKARTA - The legal advisory team for the accused of sexual harassment I Wayan Agus Suartama alias Agus Bentung, who is a person with the prosecutor, stated that he was ready to file an appeal against the decision of the Mataram District Court (PN) judge, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

"We thought about it for 7 days. However, we will take legal action against it," said Michael Anshori representing Agus Bentung's legal advisory team after the trial in Mataram, Tuesday, May 27, was confiscated by Antara.

Michael Anshori emphasized that the further legal action was part of the defendant's rights.

According to him, many things will materialize the legal advisory team in filing an appeal to the NTB High Court.

"We have not fully read the judge's decision. In essence, we have not heard about the facts revealed in the trial, they are not considered legally, they are our reasons for filing an appeal law," he said.

One of the facts about the trial that will become material for appeal, he continued, is the absence of witnesses for Agus Bentung's sexual intercourse with the victims.

"There is no one who sees it, this is our reason to file an appeal, so the witness stands alone," he said.

Meanwhile, Baiq Ira Mayadari, who was present at Agus Bentung's trial, represented the public prosecutor's team, expressing his thoughts.

"Yes, we still have to submit this decision to our superiors first. So, in the trial we conveyed it thought about it," he said.

The panel of judges at the Mataram District Court, chaired by Mahendrasmara Purnamajati, stated that Agus Bentung was found guilty of committing the crime of sexual abuse more than once against the victim with more than one person.

The judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 100 million, subsidiary to 3 months in prison.

The judge determined the decision by stating that Agus Bentung's actions were proven to have violated the primary indictment of the public prosecutor, namely Article 6 letter C in conjunction with Article 15 paragraph (1) letter e of Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence.