Prosecutors Seek Nine-Year Prison Sentence for Ammar Zoni: Previous Three Drug Convictions

JAKARTA – The State Prosecutor’s Office (JPU) at Jakarta Central District Court has revealed several considerations underlying its demand for a nine-year prison sentence against defendant Muhammad Ammar Akbar, also known as Ammar Zoni, in an alleged drug trafficking case at Salemba Detention Centre.

First, the defendant’s actions are deemed to have caused public unease. Second, Ammar Zoni’s conduct is considered to have the potential to harm the younger generation and to undermine the government’s narcotics eradication programme in Indonesia.

“Furthermore, defendant Ammar Zoni has been convicted three times by decisions of Jakarta Central District Court, South Jakarta District Court, and West Jakarta District Court, all relating to narcotics,” stated the JPU during the sentencing proceedings at Jakarta Central District Court in Kemayoran on Thursday (12 March 2026).

In the hearing, the prosecutor stated that Ammar Zoni, together with five other defendants – Asep bin Sarikin, Ardian Prasetyo bin Ari Ardih, Andi Mualim (also known as Koh Andi), Ade Candra Maulana, and Muhammad Rivaldi – have been proven guilty.

They committed unlawful acts by selling and serving as intermediaries in the sale of Class I narcotic substances that are not plants, with quantities exceeding 5 grams.

The prosecutors then presented sentencing demands for each defendant.

Defendants Asep bin Sarikin and Ade Candra Maulana were each demanded nine years imprisonment, minus time already served, plus a fine of 500 million rupiah with alternative imprisonment of 140 days.

Defendant Ardian Prasetyo was demanded seven years imprisonment, minus time already served, plus a fine of 500 million rupiah with alternative imprisonment of 140 days.

Meanwhile, defendants Andi Mualim and Muhammad Rivaldi were each demanded eight years imprisonment, minus time already served, plus a fine of 500 million rupiah with alternative imprisonment of 140 days.

The JPU stated that the defendants face charges under Article 114(2) of Indonesian Law Number 35 of 2009 concerning narcotics, as amended by Law Number 1 of 2024 on Criminal Sentence Adjustment.

The first hearing in the narcotics case involving Ammar Zoni and five other defendants took place on 23 October 2025, when the defendants heard the indictment read by the state prosecutor.

In the indictment, the JPU detailed the roles of Ammar Zoni and the five other defendants in the alleged drug trafficking case at Salemba Detention Centre.