Riau Governor Appeals Two-Year Prison Sentence: I Feel This Is Fabricated

The inactive Governor of Riau, Abdul Wahid, has been sentenced to two years in prison in connection with a ‘gang extortion’ case. Abdul Wahid has stated that he intends to file an appeal.

According to reports on Friday (31/07/2026), Abdul Wahid expressed deep disappointment regarding the verdict. He noted that the judges at the Pekanbaru Corruption Court provided no mitigating considerations in their decision.

“We both listened to the judge’s decision. However, in that decision, there were no mitigating considerations for me,” said Abdul Wahid following the hearing.

Abdul Wahid believes the case against him has been fabricated and maintains his intention to pursue an appeal. “The facts of the trial were ignored; therefore, I am declaring an appeal to the next level. I hope to find justice and I will continue to seek it. I feel innocent in this matter and have never committed these acts. It has truly been fabricated; I feel that this is full of manipulation,” Wahid stated.

Abdul Wahid was sentenced to two years in prison following an anti-corruption sting operation (OTT) by the KPK in early November 2025. This sentence is lighter than the initial prosecution demand of eight years and six months, which was presented in early July.