Factors Weighing Against Riza Chalid's Son Result in 15-Year Prison Sentence
Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza, son of businessman Riza Chalid, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in a crude oil governance corruption case by the Corruption Court (Tipikor) bench in Central Jakarta on Friday, 27 February, in the early hours.
The judges considered several factors in delivering their verdict. The aggravating factor in Kerry’s sentence was that his actions did not support the government’s anti-corruption drive. The mitigating factors included the defendant’s lack of prior criminal convictions and family dependents.
Head Judge Fajar Kusuma Aji ruled that Kerry was lawfully and convincingly proven guilty of collective corruption as per the primary charge. “The defendant Muhammad Kerry Adrianto is hereby declared lawfully and convincingly guilty of collective corruption as stated in the primary charge,” the head judge stated whilst reading the verdict at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday, 27 February. The judge imposed a prison sentence of 15 years.
Beyond the prison term, the bench also imposed a fine of 1 billion rupiah, payable within one month of the final ruling, with an option to extend by one month. Should the fine remain unpaid within the specified period, the convict’s assets or income may be seized and auctioned to settle the fine.
“Should the proceeds from seizure or auction prove insufficient or impossible to implement, the unpaid fine shall be converted to 190 days imprisonment,” the judge stated.
Additionally, Kerry was ordered to pay restitution of 2.905 trillion rupiah, with a subsidiary penalty of five years imprisonment. The sentence is lower than the prosecutor’s demand of 18 years imprisonment, a 1 billion rupiah fine (subsidiary 190 days detention), and restitution of 13.405 trillion rupiah (subsidiary 10 years detention).
Following the hearing, Kerry expressed disappointment with the verdict, asserting that numerous facts revealed during trial proceedings were not considered in the ruling. “I will continue seeking justice; thank you to all who covered the proceedings. I am confused by the verdict because many trial facts were not included in the court’s considerations,” he stated.
Kerry has pledged to pursue further legal remedies, noting that the judge’s reasoning mirrored the prosecutor’s charge document. “God willing, I will continue with legal proceedings, hoping to obtain justice elsewhere,” he said. He also questioned the court’s order confiscating PT Orbit Terminal Merak (PT OTM) for the state, noting the company continues to be used.