Comedian jailed, fined for drugs

JAKARTA: The East Jakarta District Court sentenced on Friday comedian Bharata Nugraha, known to his fans as Polo, to a year in jail for drug possession.

Polo, a former member of comedy group Srimulat, was fined Rp 2 million (US$217) plus Rp 1,000 in trial costs.

The verdict also took into account Polo's prior conviction for similar charges in 2001, presiding judge Damsuri Nungtjik said.

The sentence is lower than the 18-month jail term sought by prosecutors.

The police discovered a small package containing 0.1103 grams of methamphetamine at a house where Polo was staying in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, in June.

"I accept the court's verdict ... It's a lenient punishment, compared with what I've done," Polo said after the trial. -- JP