Herry Wirawan Sentenced To Life In Prison, Menkum HAM Respects Judge's Decision

Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly/DOK VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Herry Wirawan, the defendant in the case of raping 13 female students in Bandung, was sentenced to life in prison. Herry Wirawan's sentence of life imprisonment was lighter than that of the public prosecutor or the public prosecutor's request for the death penalty.

In response to this, the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, said the judge's decision needed to be respected.

"Whatever the court's decision is, we must respect it," Yasonna said at the DPR building, Wednesday, February 16.

Regarding whether there is an appeal, Yasonna is still waiting for the official decision.

"We'll see if it's done or what. (If) it's done, the prosecutor will send it to us for what kind of execution it will be," Yasonna explained.

Previously, the Chief Justice of the Court, Yohanes Purnomo explained the reason why Herry Wirawan was not sentenced to death and was only given a life sentence.

According to Yohanes, Herry Wirawan's life sentence was enough to keep the defendant away from the victim who was very traumatized.

"The panel of judges needs to provide justice for the victims so that benefits and justice will be obtained for the accused victims and the community," said Yohanes, Wednesday, February 16.

In addition, another reason given by the judge for Herry Wirawan's life sentence was about human rights.

"Human life is sacred. So the panel of judges is of the opinion to give punishment to such defendants," he added.

Herry Wirawan was found guilty of violating Article 81 paragraph (1), paragraph (3), paragraph (5) in conjunction with Article 76D of Law Number 17 of 2016 concerning Child Protection in conjunction with Article 65 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.