Sentenced to 14 Years' Imprisonment, Marcella Santoso Never Sought Freedom from the Outset, but Protected her Client
Jakarta — The panel of judges was convinced that advocate Marcella Santoso intended to obscure facts in order to protect her client from the legal process underway.
This statement was made by the panel of judges whilst delivering their legal considerations before issuing the verdict against Marcella in a bribery case involving a panel of judges that had issued acquittals to three crude palm oil (CPO) corporations.
The desire to protect the client became apparent through a letter written by Marcella Santoso intended to be sent to fellow advocate and defendant Ariyanto Bakri on 30 April 2025.
“A clear thread can be drawn that one of the plans of witness Marcella Santoso and witness Ariyanto was to protect the principals—namely the clients Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group, and Permata Hijau Group—so they would not be dragged into the bribery case,” said Judge Andi Saputra, member of the panel, whilst delivering the legal considerations during the hearing at the Anti-Corruption Court in Jakarta on Tuesday (3 March 2026).
“Don’t dump it on the client. Our target is not freedom. Our target is life after this. If a lawyer can protect and be trusted, then prison is real proof,” continued Judge Andi.
The panel of judges was convinced that Marcella’s other alibi regarding pressure from investigators had already been refuted.
This emerged when investigator Budi gave testimony during the hearing.
The official record (BAP) in the name of Marcella Santoso regarding M Syafei was confirmed by witness Budi during the proceedings.
“Witness Budi has given testimony during the hearing under oath in accordance with his religion and affirms that the course of statements given by witness Marcella Santoso in the BAP, particularly those supporting proof of the Public Prosecutor’s charges, are indeed statements conveyed by witness Marcella Santoso herself freely without any coercion, pressure, or threat from the investigator,” said Judge Andi.
Marcella is an advocate who has been practising for a long time and has represented clients, including those in cases before the Attorney General’s Office.
The judge found that Marcella was acquainted with investigator Budi, which contradicts her own alibi.
“Given that witness Marcella Santoso is an advocate who has been practising for a long time and frequently represents clients during examinations, including at the Attorney General’s Office, and even witness Marcella Santoso is acquainted with investigator Budi, her alibi of being pressured by the investigator in making the BAP becomes questionable and thus appropriately disregarded,” the judge stated.
In this case, Marcella was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment with a fine of IDR 600 million, or alternatively 150 days’ imprisonment.