RI laborer escapes jail term in Korea

JAKARTA: An Indonesian worker has escaped a jail term despite being convicted of stabbing his Uzbekistan counterpart to death in South Korea.

The Suwon district court sentenced 28-year-old Santoso Hadisunarko to four years in prison, but he won his appeal in the higher court for a release and was asked to serve a probation term on his home soil instead.

Leader of Santoso's defense lawyers team, Rusdi Bahasuan, told Antara on Friday the higher court approved the appeal after the labor recruitment company which sent Santoso to South Korea, PT Avida Avia Duta, agreed to provide US$32,000 as compensation for the family of the Uzbekistani worker.

Santoso arrived in his hometown of Purworejo, Central Jakarta on Thursday. (amd)