20-year sentence demanded for
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)