Feeling The Odd Decision, Nikita Mirzani Officially Files An Appeal And Questions The Judge's Consideration

Nikita Mirzani (Virgi/VOI)

JAKARTA Nikita Mirzani has officially taken legal action to appeal the verdict he received. His team of attorneys confirmed that this step was taken because of the strong belief that the Panel of Judges had ignored dozens of evidence and testimony of witnesses they submitted during the trial.

One of Nikita Mirzani's attorneys, Galih, confirmed the registration of the appeal in court. According to him, this decision was the result of an in-depth discussion with Nikita after reading the verdict on October 28.

"After being sentenced, we had a chance to discuss it first. We had come to the detention center, and finally we wanted to file an appeal," said Galih to reporters at the South Jakarta District Court, Monday, November 3.

Galih emphasized that this appeal was a pure initiative from Nikita's side and was not influenced by the existence or absence of similar steps from the Public Prosecutor (JPU).

"Just now I checked that there has not been any prosecutor to declare an appeal," he said.

The main point that becomes the basis for filing an appeal is the alleged mistake of the judge in making legal considerations. Nikita's side felt that all the evidence and witnesses they presented, including expert witnesses, were not considered at all by the panel.

"The mistake was there. Because it was based on evidence, based on witnesses. Our witnesses were not seen at all, everything was put aside," said Galih.

"Of the 57 pieces of evidence we submitted, including from fact witnesses, including expert statements, where are the considerations? There are no legal considerations at all," he continued.

He hopes that the High Court can re-explore the facts of the trial and see the mistakes that occurred.

At the end of his statement, Galih conveyed a short message from Nikita Mirzani who asked for prayers from the public so that his struggle for justice could be realized.

"Just pray, just escort this case, pray. Until now ask for prayers to be released," he concluded.

Previously, the Panel of Judges at the South Jakarta District Court found Nikita guilty of extortion with the threat of defamation through electronic media.

For his actions, Nikita was sentenced to 4 years in prison. In addition to the corporal sentence, Nikita was also sentenced to a fine of Rp. 1 billion. If the fine is not paid, he is obliged to serve a replacement sentence of 3 months.

"To declare that the defendant Nikita Mirzani is above proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing a criminal act of participating in an act intentionally and without the right to distribute electronic information with the threat of pollution or with threats of revealing secrets," said the judge when reading the verdict.

"The defendant was sentenced to 4 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 1 billion, provided that if the fine was not paid, it was replaced with imprisonment for 3 months," continued the judge.