Ari's release draws scorn<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Central Jakarta District Court's decision to
\nrelease former President Soeharto's grandson Ari Sigit from
\ncustody is counter to the public's desire to see justice done,
\nlawyers asserted on Friday.<\/p>\n
The critics were referring to the decision made by the court
\non Thursday to grant the request made by Ari Sigit, (also known
\nas Ari Haryo Wibowo) to be transferred to house arrest from his
\ncell in Salemba Penitentiary.<\/p>\n
Lawyers Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, Frans H. Winarta and
\nIrianto Subiakto shared the same position that the public were
\nyet again embittered by the justice system which has apparently
\nfailed to consider the public interest.<\/p>\n
\"The approval (of Ari's request) could not be based on any
\nlegal or extenuating factors. The court has to consider other
\naspects in society, including public expectations of justice,\"
\nNursyahbani told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
In today's climate she claimed, people worry that Ari might
\nescape, as his famous uncle, Hutomo \"Tommy\" Mandala Putra did
\nafter he was pronounced guilty of corruption and sentenced to 18
\nmonths in jail.<\/p>\n
Ari's trial for illegal possession of firearms is ongoing. The
\ncharge carries a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment.<\/p>\n
The defendant left his cell at the Salemba Penitentiary in
\nCentral Jakarta on Thursday after the panel of judges, presided
\nover by Herri Swantoro, approved his request for a transfer to
\nhouse arrest.<\/p>\n
The judges granted his request based on a signed guarantee
\ngiven by Ari that he would continue to attend his trial in
\naddition to Rp 100 million in bail and a medical report
\nsuggesting that the defendant should have medical treatment for
\napparent poor health.<\/p>\n
The guarantee document was signed by Ari's father, Sigit
\nHardjojudanto and lawyers Juan Felix Tampubolon, Petrus Bala
\nPattyona and Indriyanto Seno Adji while the medical report was
\nprepared by Dr. Hari Sabardi.<\/p>\n
\"The judges should be certain that Ari is really sick,
\nconsidering that many defendants use the same excuse to ask for
\nleniency or house arrest,\" Nursyahbani said. Similar comments
\nwere made by Frans and Irianto.<\/p>\n
The public's already weak trust in the justice system was
\ndealt yet another devastating blow last week when the Supreme
\nCourt issued a decision to completely exonerate Tommy, who had
\nearlier asked for a presidential pardon, thereby admitting guilt.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aris-release-draws-scorn-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}