Prosecutors Demand 1.5 Years In Prison 2 Defendants Of Pangolin Scale Sellers In Medan

Public Prosecutor of the Medan Kejari Asepte Ginting (second left) read out the memorandum of demand at the Medan District Court, North Sumatra, Tuesday (3/10/2023). ANTARA/M. Sahbainy Nasution

The prosecutor demanded a sentence of 1.5 years in prison for the two defendants, Oktario Sito alias Rio and Bernando Gultom, a seller of pangolin scales weighing 1.2 kilograms (kg).

"Asking the panel of judges to sentence the defendants Oktario Sito alias Rio and Bernando Gultom to 1.5 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 10 million, subsidiary to 3 months in prison," said the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Medan District Attorney (Kejari), Asepte Ginting at the Medan District Court (PN), North Sumatra, Tuesday, October 3, confiscated by Antara.

The prosecutor said the two defendants violated the primary indictment, Article 40 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter d of Law Number 5 of 1990 calmly Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystem jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

"The thing that burdens the two defendants is not supporting the government's program in preserving rare animals and the plant and animal ecosystem, while the mitigating thing is to be polite, admit, and regret his actions at trial," said Asepte.

The evidence obtained, said Asepte, will be submitted to the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSD).

Previously in the indictment, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Medan Asepte Ginting said that on Tuesday, April 11, Medan Baru Police officers received information about the sale of pangolin scales on social media.

The officer then pretended to be buying, then met the two defendants on Jalan Nibung Raya. After arriving, the officers immediately secured them.

During the arrest, he said, the two defendants admitted to buying from someone they did not know his name in Sidikalang District, Dairi Regency, North Sumatra, at a price of Rp. 750 thousand weighing 1.2 kilograms of pangolin scales.