Man found guilty but not punished

TANGERANG: The Tangerang District Court found on Thursday an 18-year-old man guilty of possessing 4 grams of marijuana and allowed him to walk free.

"We did not free the suspect, but only returned him to his parents, who have promised to educate their child at home," presiding judge Satria U.S. Gumai told the hearing.

Prosecutor Riama Sihite earlier charged defendant R. Fauzy bin Hidup Suryadi with violating Article 78 of Law No. 22/1997 on drugs and asked the court to sentence him to two years and six months in jail. The article carries a maximum life sentence.

According to the prosecutor, the suspect was arrested in a drug raid conducted by Jatiuwung Police on Aug. 15, behind Nurul Falah Islamic elementary school on Jl. Raya Mauk, Jatiuwung district, Tangerang.

The defendant confessed to having obtained the drugs from a man called Ceong, who is still at large.

Commenting on the verdict, Riama said "I leave the decision to impose punishment on the defendant to the panel of judges, who are believed to be the 'wise' persons."

Before the session began, the defendant's parents met with the panel of judges to discuss the case.--JP