Former Chancellor Of Unud Prof. Antara Sentenced To Free, Prosecutors Ask For Cassation

Former Chancellor Of Udayana University Prof. I Nyoman Gde Antara/PHOTO: Dafi-VOI

DENPASAR - The Public Prosecutor of the Bali High Prosecutor's Office has stated that he will file an appeal against the decision of the Denpasar Corruption Court Judge on I NyomanGde Antara as a defendant in the corruption case of funds for the development of the Udayana University institution (SPI).

"We from the public prosecutor have stated that we will file an appeal," said Public Prosecutor Nengah Astawa at the Corruption Court at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, Thursday, February 22.

The appeal was filed because the Public Prosecutor had not been able to accept the judge's decision which acquitted the former Chancellor of Udayana University of all charges and demands by the prosecutor.

The appeal, continued Astawa, will be submitted immediately after the Denpasar Corruption Court's decision to obtain permanent legal force while waiting for all files to be ready.

Meanwhile, Antara's legal advisor, Hotman Paris Hutapea, stated that his party accepted the judge's decision. He asked the prosecutor not to file an appeal against the decision.

According to Hotman, the petition will be dropped because it is difficult to prove the articles charged to his client.Hotman assessed that there was an element of coercion in the case that ensnared Antara and attempted to oppress his client.

"This is a targeted case. Even one rupiah has not been harmed. Four and a half months have been detained, handcuffed, even though the prosecutor knows that the indictment is totally wrong," said Hotman.

After hearing the verdict, Antara then expressed his intention to return to service at Udayana University and continue his duties as a professor and lecturer at the campus.

"Please pray for our blessing, hopefully we can return to Udayana University, build Udayana University, educate younger students as we expected together," said Antara.

Antara admitted that he had never committed a crime as revealed in the facts of the trial at the Denpasar Corruption Court.

"We (I) express our gratitude to the panel of judges who carried out their extraordinary duties. In accordance with the facts of the trial, I was not proven guilty of the articles charged to me," said Antara.