20-year sentence demanded for Basuki murder defendants

JP/3/BASUKI

20-year sentence demanded for Basuki murder defendants

JAKARTA (JP): Public prosecutors yesterday demanded that the South Jakarta district court sentence Wahyudi and Abdul Mukti to 20 years in prison each for their role in robbing and killing noted painter Basuki Abdullah on Nov. 5 last year.

In his recommendation, Prosecutor Agus Sutoto said Wahyudi, 37, deserves the punishment based on the premise that the defendant was the brain behind the robbery which resulted in the death of Basuki, who was one of Indonesia's most famous painters.

"Basuki Abdullah was one of this nation's treasures, who has honored Indonesia through his art. This national asset, however, met a tragic end because of the defendant's actions," Agus Sutoto said.

On Nov. 5 Basuki was found dead by one of his maids, lying flat on the carpeted floor of the his room with a vicious wound to the back of his head.

According to Agus Sutoto, Wahyudi had planned the robbery with Abdul, Amiruddin, and Tetap Sembiring. Abdul is being tried separately, while Tetap Sembiring, who disappeared soon after the crime, is still at large.

Amiruddin was tried separately in the same court and sentenced to 15 years.

Robbery

On Nov. 4 the four allegedly planned the robbery. Wahyudi, who was then Basuki's gardener, is reported to have given a copy of the lay-out to the house to Amiruddin and told him the best ways to gain entrance.

"Wahyudi even showed Amiruddin the location of the house on Jl. Raya Keuangan, South Jakarta. Both of them came back again to Jl. Langsat," Agus Sutoto said.

According to the prosecutor, at midnight, Nanda left for Basuki's house to carry out the planned robbery. He found Wahyudi's layout useful, and successfully entered the house without notice. He encountered Basuki in the process and struck him in the head with a rifle butt.

At the end of yesterdays' session, Presiding Judge Moegihardjo asked Wahyudi, who was not accompanied by a lawyer, if he had any comment on the prosecutor's request. Wahyudi burst into tears and asked the court for lenience.

"I have a wife and four children whom I have to take care of so, please give me the lightest possible sentence," Wahyudi pleaded.

In a separate trial at the same court, prosecutor Carel Karubun said defendant Abdul Mukti was guilty of providing the house on Jl. Langsat where the robbery was planned. Abdul Mukti's trial is also being heard by judge Moegihardjo.

When asked by the judge for a comment, Abdul Mukti, 30, who was also not accompanied by a lawyer, said he did not know anything about the robbery.

"It was just by coincidence that the three planned the robbery at my house," Abdul Mukti said.

The trials were adjourned until next week.(11)