Pangolin Scale Seller Sentenced To 1 Year In Prison

The presiding judge Martua Sagala (right) read out the verdict online at the Medan District Court (PN), North Sumatra, Tuesday (17/10/2023). (ANTARA/M Sahbainy Nasution)

The panel of judges at the Medan District Court (PN), North Sumatra, sentenced two defendants to one year in prison in the case of selling pangolin scales weighing 1.2 kilograms.

"In addition, the defendants Oktario Sito alias Rio and Bernando Gultom were fined Rp. 10 million, subsidiary to three months in prison," said Chief Judge Martua Sagala at the Medan District Court as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 17.

From the facts of the trial, the panel of judges believed that the two defendants violated Article 40 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) Letter d of the Republic of Indonesia Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code.

"The thing that burdens the two defendants does not support 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 Martua.

Meanwhile, the confiscated evidence was given to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSD) of North Sumatra.

After reading the verdict, the panel of judges gave seven days to think to the defendant, the defendant's legal adviser (PH), and the Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Medan Kejari received or made an appeal against the decision.

This decision is lighter than the demands of the Medan Prosecutor's Office, Asepte Ginting, for 1.5 years and a fine of Rp. 10 million, subsidiary to three months in prison.

Previously, in the indictment, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Medan Asepte Ginting said that on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, Medan Baru Police officers received information about the sale of pangolin scales on social media.

"Then the officer bought two defendants who were going to meet on Jalan Nibung Raya, after they arrived they were immediately secured," he said.

After that, according to Asepte, the two defendants bought from an unknown person in Sidikalang District, Dairi Regency, North Sumatra for Rp. 750 thousand weighing 1.2 kilograms of pangolin scales.