Dental Doctors Abort Dozens Of Fetuses In Denpasar Sentenced To 4.5 Years In Prison

Defendant I Ketut Arik Wiantara (53) listened to the verdict of the panel of judges at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, Thursday (21/3/2024). ANTARA/Rolandus Nampu

The panel of judges at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, Thursday sentenced the defendant I Ketut Arik Wiantara (53) to four years and six months in prison, a dentist who aborted dozens of fetuses.

In his verdict at the Denpasar District Court, Thursday, Chief Judge I Gusti Ngurah Agung Aryanta Winawan declared the defendant doctor Arik legally and convincingly guilty of having abortioned 20 fetuses from 2020 to May 2023.

"Sentenced doctor I Ketut Arik Wiantara, SKG in the form of imprisonment for 4 years and 6 months," said the Panel of Judges as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, March 20.

In the judge's consideration, there was an element of intent when the defendant, doctor Arik, had an abortion, as evidenced by the preparation of a number of equipment used by the defendant in an illegal abortion. In addition, doctor Arik has also been involved in the same case twice and has been sentenced to prison.

The judge decided that the defendant's actions violated Article 194 in conjunction with Article 75 paragraph (2) of Law Number 36 of 2009 concerning Health that had been changed and added in Article 428 paragraph (1) letter a of Law Number 17 of 2003 concerning Health.

The judge's decision is half a year lower than the demands of the Public Prosecutor where in his charge, the Public Prosecutor asked that the defendant be sentenced to 5 years in prison.

However, the Public Prosecutor did not object to the judge's decision.

The defendant, doctor Arik, could only surrender to hear the reading of the verdict. He also accepted the verdict.

After the trial, Doctor Arik revealed that he would never repeat his actions in the future.

"I will not want to repeat again even though people cry come to me, I will refuse," he said.

Doctor Arik admitted that his heart was moved because many patients came to him who were still in school. In fact, there are patient parents who threaten to drink poison if not served by him to abort their child's womb.

The practice of illegal abortion of the defendant, doctor Arik, was uncovered when Bali Police investigators received information that an internet review was found regarding the defendant's practice in Gang Bajangan, Padang Luwih Highway, Dalung Village, North Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali.

After being investigated, the Bali Police investigators disguised themselves as an abortion patient on Monday (8/5/2023).

After being received by a janitor who worked at the doctor's practice site, the officers carried out a raid. At that time, it was found that a patient with the initials NI was unconscious who was accompanied by his girlfriend with the initials PW on the floor of the examination room.

Doctor Arik was also in the room with his wife. The defendant at that time admitted that he had just had an abortion against NI.

Doctor Arik, who has been jailed twice for the same case, said the tariff paid by the patient was Rp. 3.8 million. After further searches were carried out, it was discovered that the abortion room contained a patient registration desk, a bed unit, ultrasound or an examination device.

In addition, there is a small table with abortion drugs and equipment, as well as several recalcitrant recipes and stamps on behalf of the defendant. In Arik's doctor's cellphone there was also a conversation with people who had abortions. From the patient registration book, investigators found about 1,338 names of patients who had come and asked doctor Arik for help to abort the pregnancy.

From the in-depth examination, it was also revealed that the defendant did not have expertise or permission in medical practice in the field of abortion.

The defendant, who actually obtained a Bachelor of Dental Medicine's diploma, was never registered with the medical professional organization or the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI).