Herry Wirawan Is Obliged To Pay Rp. 300 Million In Restitution To The Victim, KPAI Says It Is Appropriate

Herry Wirawan/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) Retno Listyarti appreciated the decision of the West Java High Court Judge which required Herry Wirawan to pay compensation or restitution of around Rp. 300 million to 13 victims of his rape.

This decision, according to Retno, corrects the decision of the Bandung District Court Panel of Judges which imposes restitution on the state through the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection.

"I strongly support the decision of the West Java High Court Judge which stated that the imposition of restitution payments to the state would set a bad precedent in overcoming crimes of sexual violence against children," said Retno in her statement, Tuesday, April 5.

Retno believes that Herry Wirawan should indeed be charged with restitution for the victims. Because, if not, this is very dangerous for the protection of children from sexual crimes.

"Because criminals will feel comfortable not being burdened with compensation in the form of restitution to victims and this has the potential to eliminate the deterrent effect of the perpetrators," he said.

For information, the panel of judges at the Bandung High Court (PT) granted the death sentence for the perpetrators of the rape of 13 female students, Herry Wirawan.

The Chief Justice of PT Bandung Herri Swantoro granted the sentence after the West Java High Prosecutor's Office appealed the decision of the Bandung District Court, which sentenced Herry to life imprisonment.

In addition to the death sentence, Herry is also required to pay restitution of more than Rp. 300 million. The verdict annulled the Bandung District Court's decision, which previously freed Herry from the penalty of paying compensation to the victim.