Damaged Image Of The Police, Reasons For Heavy Punishment For Brigadier General Prasetijo

Brigjen Prasetijo Utomo (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Brigadier General Prasetijo Utomo was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison because the judge was proven guilty of accepting bribes related to the management of Joko Tjandra's red notice. This verdict was based on burdensome considerations, including damaging the image of the Police.

"Damaging public confidence in law enforcement institutions", said the judge reading the judgment at the trial at the Corruption Court in Jakarta, Wednesday, March 10.

Another burdensome thing, namely, Brigadier General Prasetijo is considered not to support government programs in the prevention and eradication of corruption.

While mitigating matters were considered by the verdict, Brigadier General Prasetijo was considered polite during the trial. Brigadier General Prasetijo has also served at the Police for 30 years.

"The defendant still has family dependents. The defendant admitted to receiving money even though it was only USD 20 thousand", said the judge.

Brigadier General Prasetijo's confession about Dollar Money

In the trial process before the verdict, Brigadier General Prasetijo Utomo admitted that he received worth USD 20 thousand money from Tommy Sumardi, a colleague of Joko Tjandra.

"I admit that I received money for USD 20 thousand from Tommy Sumardi, no more or less", said Brigadier General Prasetijo in his plea at the trial at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta, Monday, February 15.

Prasetijo also said that the money given by Tommy Sumardi was never asked for. The giving of money was initially considered a gift as a friend without any purpose.

"I did not think that my receipt of this money would be a criminal act which resulted in the trial of this case", he continued.

"And I swear I never knew that the money amount to USD 20 thousand would be associated with the removal of red notices which is the subject of this case", continued Prasetijo.

The reason is that as the Head of the Supervisory Coordinating Bureau, the National Police-Criminal Investigation Agency does not have the authority to a red notice.

Brigadier General Prasetijo at that time also returned the money to the Police's Professional and Security Division. The return, said Prasetijo, was not yet in the investigation stage.