UIN Lecturer's Bribery, 8 Village Heads In Demak Charged With 3 Years In Prison

Public prosecutor Sri Heryono read out the charges against eight village heads accused of bribing UIN Semarang lecturers during a trial at the Semarang Corruption Court, Central Java, Tuesday (14/2/2023). (ANTARA)

SEMARANG - Eight village heads in Demak Regency, Central Java, were prosecuted for 3 years in prison in a case of alleged bribes of IDR 840 million against Walisongo Semarang State Islamic University (UIN) lecturers in the process of selecting village officials in the area.

The public prosecutor (JPU) Sri Heryono in a hearing at the Semarang Tipikor Court, Tuesday, also demanded the defendants to pay a fine of IDR 50 million. If not paid, will be replaced with confinement for 2 months.

The eight defendants who were tried were the Head of Gedangalas Turmuji Village, Jatisono Purnomo Village Head, Tanjunganyar Village Head Alaudin, Connect Siswahyudi Village Head, Tambirejo Village Head Agus Suryanto, M Trainharjo M. Juanedi Village Head, Banjarsari Hariadi Village Head, and Medini M. Rois Village Head

"Declaring the defendant guilty of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001," he said in a hearing presided over by Chief Judge Arkanu.

The corruption crime that occurred in 2021 began when FISIP UIN Semarang became the examiner in selecting village officials in Gajah District, Demak Regency.

The eight defendants allegedly promised 16 registrants to fill the positions of village administrators and secretaries by giving a sum of money.

They set a price of IDR 150 million for the position of village official and IDR 250 million for the position of village secretary.

In his consideration, the prosecutor said the actions of the defendants did not support the government's program in fighting corruption.

"The defendants also enjoyed the bribe money," he added.

Based on these demands, the judge gave the defendants the opportunity to present their defense at the next trial.