2 Defendants In The Sinking Of KMP Yunicee In The Bali Strait Sentenced To Free

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BANYUWANGI - Two defendants in the KMP Yunicee sinking case were acquitted. The two are Rocky Marthen Surentu, Syahbandar Coordinator of the Service Unit of the Land Transportation Management Agency (BPTD) Ketapang Port, and KMP Yunicee Branch Head, Nur Tajhjo Widodo.

Both were acquitted by the Banyuwangi District Court of Justice in a verdict hearing held Monday, February 7th. Previously, the two defendants were sentenced to 4 years in prison and a fine of IDR 1 billion.

Rocky Marthen Surentu's attorney, Moh Firdaus Yulianto, said his client should have been released after the verdict. However, due to several existing requirements and procedures, his client's release was delayed by a day.

"But that's okay. The most important thing is that our client is not guilty of the KMP Yunicee sinking case. All charges cannot be addressed. Because the captain is fully responsible for the accident. Not the porter", Firdaus told reporters, Wednesday, February 9.

Firdaus said, although the prosecutor immediately decided to file an appeal against the judge's decision. He still appreciates his legal efforts.

"We really appreciate all of those who have served professionally according to their duties and responsibilities", he said.

The Banyuwangi District Court of Justice previously acquitted two of the three defendants in the KMP Yunicee sinking case in the Bali Strait on Tuesday 29 June 2021.

The verdict of this case was read out virtually. In the courtroom, there is only a panel of judges, public prosecutors, and legal advisers. Meanwhile, the three defendants followed the reading of the verdict from the Class II-A Banyuwangi Penitentiary.