Defendant in Palembang Embezzlement Case Receives Social Work Sanction

Palembang (ANTARA) - The Palembang District Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari), South Sumatra, has imposed a sanction of social work on a defendant in an embezzlement case at RSUD Palembang Bari.

The Head of Kejari Palembang, Muhammad Ali Akbar, stated during the handover of the defendant at RSUD Palembang Bari on Thursday that the defendant is Rio Aberico Bin Thomas.

“The defendant received this sanction due to the application of plea bargaining or guilty plea in handling criminal cases as an effort to realise a more effective, efficient, and humane judicial system,” he said.

According to him, this application is the first time in the legal jurisdiction of South Sumatra, particularly in Palembang City, as well as nationally, and this mechanism is based on Law No. 20 of 2025 on the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).

He added that in the trial held on 1 April 2026, the defendant admitted to all his actions.

The panel of judges in the trial ensured that the defendant’s admission was made without pressure and had provided explanations regarding the legal consequences and the rights that would be forfeited in this mechanism.

Based on the agreement approved by the panel of judges, the defendant was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, which was converted into a social work sanction for 120 hours.

The defendant is scheduled to undergo the sanction at RSUD Palembang Bari with a duration of two hours per day for approximately two months.

Meanwhile, during the handover, Head of Kejari Palembang Muhammad Ali Akbar was directly welcomed by the Director of RSUD Palembang Bari, Amalia.

Director of RSUD Palembang Bari Amalia added that her side welcomes this matter well.

She stated that they will supervise the defendant who is carrying out the social work punishment and will report to Kejari Palembang periodically.