Attorney General's Office Appeals Sentence in Ary Gadun FM Bribery Case

Jakarta—The Attorney General’s Office has appealed the verdict against three defendants convicted in a bribery case involving a judge who issued acquittals to three crude palm oil corporations.

The three defendants are advocate Ariyanto Bakri and Marcella Santoso, as well as Muhammad Syafei, Head of Social Security Legal at Wilmar Group.

“The Attorney General’s Office is appealing because the district court’s decision did not satisfy several elements that the prosecution sought,” said Riono Budisantoso, Director of Prosecution at the Attorney General’s Office, when reached for comment on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Thus far, Riono has not provided further details regarding the specific factors that prompted the Attorney General’s Office to appeal.

“Regarding the acquittal decisions, we are currently studying what legal remedies are available,” Riono added.

The Spokesman for Jakarta Central District Court, M Firman Akbar, confirmed that Marcella, Ariyanto and Syafei have filed appeals as of today.

“The prosecution is appealing, and so are the defendants,” said Firman when reached for comment on Tuesday evening.

“Syafei is filing an appeal,” said Syafei’s attorney, Juniver Girsang, when reached for comment.

Marcella was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with a fine of 600 million rupiah, or alternatively 150 days additional imprisonment. Ariyanto was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with a fine of 600 million rupiah, or alternatively 150 days additional imprisonment.

Ariyanto was said to have received 4 million US dollars, equivalent to approximately 52 billion rupiah, from the corporations. However, Ariyanto took 2 million US dollars from the bribe amount to keep and enjoy together with Marcella Santoso.