Unable To Accept An Increased Sentence, Edhy Prabowo Files An Cassation

Former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court (MA) after his sentence was increased to 9 years in prison. This application relates to the bribery case for the export license for lobster fry or seeds.

"It is true that the accused, Edhy Prabowo, has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court", Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Spokesperson for Enforcement, Ali Fikri, told reporters, Monday, November 29.

On this submission, Ali said, the case that ensnared the former Gerindra Party politician did not yet have permanent legal force. "Furthermore, the prosecutor's team will prepare a counter memorandum of cassation as a rebuttal to the arguments and arguments of the accused", he said.

Furthermore, the KPK hopes that the Panel of Judges of the Supreme Court (MA) will decide the case as fairly as possible by its independence and professionalism.

This is important because corruption is an extraordinary crime that hinders all aspects of people's lives, including economic recovery.

"So it takes the commitment of all stakeholders to work together in joint efforts to eradicate corruption according to their respective duties and functions", said Ali.

As previously reported, the DKI Jakarta High Court had increased the sentence of former Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo to 9 years in prison. Previously, Edhy was sentenced to 5 years in prison at the first level of the Jakarta Corruption Court.

The PT DKI Panel of Judges aggravated Edhy's verdict because he did not accept the verdict in the first instance. In the memory of Edhy's appeal, there is no new pretext that can make the sentence commuted.

In addition, his position as minister is also a burdensome factor. The judge thought that Edhy should be an example for his subordinates.

Next, the judge also required the former Gerindra Party politician to pay replacement money of Rp 9,687,447,219 and US$ 77,000, taking into account the money that had been returned by Edhy Prabowo.

The money must be paid by Edhy within one month after the court's decision is final and binding. If not paid, his property will be confiscated and then auctioned off as a cover for the lack of payment.

Later, if the money from the auction is still not enough to pay the replacement money, Edhy's sentence will be added for 3 years.

Furthermore, the judge also imposed an additional sentence in the form of revocation of political rights for three years. This punishment takes effect after Edhy has finished serving his prison term.