Judge Explains Mitigating Factors in ABK Fandi Ramadhan’s Narcotics Case
A Batam District Court panel has sentenced ABK Fandi Ramadhan, a crew member, to five years in prison for his involvement in transporting nearly two tonnes of narcotics, specifically sabu (crystal meth). The verdict, read in an open session attended by members of the public, was lighter than the prosecutors’ demand for the death penalty. The court ruled that the defendant was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of a narcotics offense as charged in the primary indictment by the State Prosecutor.
According to testimony at trial, there were at least two legally valid pieces of evidence that corroborated the exhibits and facts presented in court. The presiding judge, Tiwik, stated that the elements of the primary charge had been fulfilled.
The panel identified the quantity of narcotics—nearly two tonnes—as an aggravating factor, noting that its circulation in Indonesia would pose a threat to the future of the nation.
By contrast, the mitigating factors cited for Fandi Ramadhan included his polite conduct during the trial, no prior convictions, and his relatively young age, which the court said gave him an opportunity to reform.
In the dispositive part of the verdict, the panel found Fandi Ramadhan guilty of conspiracy to commit an illegal act, acting as an intermediary in the sale of Group I narcotics not derived from plants, with a weight exceeding 5 grams. He was sentenced to five years in prison for the offence.
Trial records show that Fandi was an ABK involved in transporting nearly two tonnes of narcotics alongside other defendants in the case. The prosecutor said they would consider their next legal steps, including whether to appeal or accept the panel’s decision.
Fandi Ramadhan worked on the foreign-flagged vessel Tailan as a machine operator. He was recruited to work as an engineer, but after only three days on board the vessel was captured upon entering Indonesian waters on suspicion of carrying sabu. In his plea, Fandi claimed he did not know the cargo on board.