Tommy, Bob Hasan granted remissions<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Multiple-offense convict Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the
\nyoungest son of former president Soeharto, will be among some
\n35,000 inmates receiving remission in conjunction with the
\nupcoming Idul Fitri holiday, it was announced Wednesday.<\/p>\n
His father's golfing buddy, Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, who was
\nsentenced to six years in jail for corruption, will also be
\ngranted remission.<\/p>\n
Both Tommy and Bob are serving jail terms in Batu prison, one
\nof four penitentiaries on Nusakambangan island, off the Central
\nJava coast near the town of Cilacap.<\/p>\n
The Director General of Penitentiaries at the Ministry of
\nJustice and Human Rights, Adi Sujatno, told reporters that Tommy
\nwould receive a one-and-a-half month reduction in his prison term
\nwhile Bob would be granted a two-month reduction.<\/p>\n
According to Presidential Decree No. 174\/1999 on remission,
\nspecial remission is granted on certain holidays, such as Idul
\nFitri and Christmas. An inmate who has spent one year in jail
\nnormally gets a 15-day reduction while those who have spent two
\nor three years in jail get one month's remission.<\/p>\n
Inmates who are in the fourth and fifth year of their
\nsentences normally get one and a half month's reduction while
\nthose who have spent six years or more get two month's remission.<\/p>\n
Tommy was jailed in July 2002 for masterminding the
\nassassination of Supreme Court Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita,
\nillegal possession of firearms and flight from justice.<\/p>\n
The government granted him one month's remission on the
\nIndependence Day. The remission was opposed by many, including
\nChief Justice Bagir Manan, because, according to the law, Tommy
\nwas not yet eligible to receive it.<\/p>\n
According to Presidential Decree No 174\/1999 on remission,
\nonly inmates -- not suspects or defendants -- who have spent six
\nmonths in prison are eligible to have their jail terms cut by one
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
However, Justice Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra argued that
\nTommy had already been in detention for eight months prior to and
\nduring his trial.<\/p>\n
Bob, who was also granted one month's remission last Friday,
\nhad his sentence reduced by five months due to good behavior. He
\nhas been in prison since February of last year.<\/p>\n
Rudy Satrio, a criminal law expert from the University of
\nIndonesia, said the remission granted to Tommy was not in line
\nwith the law, as he should get one month remission at the most.<\/p>\n
"The government must not favor rich inmates. It is common that
\na penitentiary gives remission to rich inmates if he or she
\nbuilds something or donates something to the penitentiary as this
\nis considered as proof of good conduct," he said.<\/p>\n
For this year's Idul Fitri, the government will grant special
\nremission to some 35,000 out of a total of some 84,000 inmates
\nnationwide.<\/p>\n
Penitentiary Director General Adi said that remission would be
\ngranted to inmates with good conduct who were not serving life
\nsentences or who were awaiting execution, such as those who
\nreceived such sentences for the Bali bombings.<\/p>\n
"Those who are being punished for violating prison rules or
\nhave attempted to escape will not be granted remission," he
\nadded.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tommy-bob-hasan-granted-remissions-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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