Permadi released from jail, reunited with his family<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Controversial soothsayer Permadi Satrio Wiwoho
\nwas reunited with his family yesterday, a day after he was
\nsentenced to seven months jail for blasphemy.<\/p>\n
\"I can hardly express my feelings after being separated from
\nmy family for almost six months,\" Permadi told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Although happy to be home, he said he missed terribly his
\nfellow inmates at Wirogunan prison, Yogyakarta. \"I couldn't help
\nfeeling sorry for them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Permadi was released on Tuesday night on a legal technicality,
\nafter being sentenced to seven months imprisonment for insulting
\nIslam and the Prophet Muhammad during a seminar last year.<\/p>\n
Permadi, together with his wife Dewi Sriwiyanti and one of his
\nlawyers, Ramdlon Naning, arrived in Jakarta from Yogyakarta at
\nabout 2 p.m. His two elder daughters Dewi Ayuning Keraton and
\nDewi Ciptaning Keraton and his youngest son Bambang Andikaning
\nPerang, took turns answering phone calls and welcoming guests.
\nPermadi's third child, Bambang Tarunaning Perang, is taking a
\nflying course in Australia.<\/p>\n
\"I did not expect my husband to be released from prison only a
\nday after being sentenced,\" Permadi's wife Dewi said. \"I'm
\ndelighted my husband's request for a postponement of his
\nimprisonment was grated by the Yogyakarta High Court,\" she added.<\/p>\n
Among the friends who greeted Permadi on his arrival back in
\nJakarta were former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin, human rights
\ncampaigners H.J. Princen and Chris Siner Key Timu, politician Sri
\nBintang Pamungkas, legislator Sabam Sirait, and Permadi's fellow
\nsoothsayers, Permadi said.<\/p>\n
Permadi, who has close relations with government critics, said
\nhis six months in detention have not discouraged him from
\n\"fighting for the betterment of the country.\"<\/p>\n
\"I will keep on making speeches and giving lectures if people
\nstill want me as a source for information,\" he said, adding that
\nhe is a political and social observer rather than a soothsayer.<\/p>\n
He declined to comment on the court's decision. He also
\ndeclined to predict what the High Court would decide on the
\nprosecutors' and his defense lawyers' appeal.<\/p>\n
\"I will not be disappointed if the High Court or the Supreme
\nCourt decide against me. Neither will I be overjoyed if it
\ndecides in my favor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The case is currently being examined by the Yogyakarta High
\nCourt, after both the prosecution and the defense appealed
\nagainst Monday's decision.<\/p>\n
Permadi was released at 10 p.m. on Tuesday on an order of the
\nHigh Court.<\/p>\n
Ramdlon Naning said the court ordered Permadi's release two
\nhours early, as the Sleman district court's 90-day detention
\norder expired at midnight on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"The Yogyakarta High Court agreed to postpone Permadi's
\nimprisonment after we guaranteed that Permadi would not flee and
\nwould be available until the court hands down its final
\ndecision,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said Permadi had sought a postponement of his imprisonment
\non four occasions. \"The first three requests were made during the
\ntrial and the last request was made after the judges read the
\nverdict (on Monday).<\/p>\n
\"If the district court's verdict is already final, Permadi
\nstill has to serve another two months in jail,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Sleman District Court in Yogyakarta sentenced Permadi to
\nseven months jail on Monday after convicting him of blasphemy for
\ndescribing the Prophet Muhammad as a \"dictator\" during a seminar
\nat the Gadjah Mada University in April last year. (imn\/02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/permadi-released-from-jail-reunited-with-his-family-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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