Awaiting New Chapter in Kerry Case: Both Sides File Appeals

JAKARTA — The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has formally filed an appeal against the verdict in the corruption case concerning crude oil management and refinery products at PT Pertamina Persero, involving defendant and Beneficial Owner of PT Orbit Terminal Merak (PT OTM) Muhamad Kerry Adrianto Riza and others, on Friday, 27 February 2026.

The appeal was filed on the same day that sentences for nine defendants were announced by the Anti-Corruption Court judges of Jakarta.

“The appeal was filed yesterday,” said Head of the Attorney General’s Legal Information Centre Anang Supriatna when contacted by Kompas.com on Saturday, 28 February 2026.

There are at least two grounds for this legal effort: the sentences imposed were below the prosecution’s demands, and the calculated state economic loss of Rp 171.9 trillion was not taken into account by the court panel in its verdict.

The full considerations of the AGO will be detailed in the memorandum of appeal to be submitted to the Jakarta High Court.

“The memorandum will be prepared by the AGO, and we continue to appreciate and respect the anti-corruption court panel’s verdict,” said Anang.

However, the administrative procedures have not yet been completed as the verdict was only concluded near 04:00 WIB.

After being sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, Kerry stated he would continue pursuing justice.

“God willing, I will continue with legal efforts, hoping to obtain justice elsewhere,” said Kerry following the hearing at the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court on Friday, 27 February 2026.

“I am also confused by the verdict because many facts from the trial were not included in the court’s reasoning,” said Kerry.

He expressed confusion over the court’s decision to order his Merak fuel terminal to be seized and confiscated by the state. His concern stems from the fact that the terminal continues to be used by Pertamina to date.