Ten years sought for Sangaji's killers

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Prosecutors sought 10-year jail terms on Tuesday for each of the three defendants being tried for the murder of former Maluku youth leader Basri Sangaji at a hotel in South Jakarta last year.

Prosecutor Nurhasan Ridwan told the South Jakarta District Court that Semy Charter Refra alias Semy Key, 25, Emang Refra alias Kupas, 24, and Rais Texas alias Subur, 24, had violated Articles 338 and 351 of the Criminal Code on murder, and Article 2 of Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on the illegal possession of weapons.

"We appeal to the judges to find the defendants guilty and punish them accordingly," he said.

The sentencing recommendation appeared light, however, for such charges as on the same day prosecutors at the Central Jakarta District Court sought a life sentence for Adiguna Sutowo, the only defendant in the murder of waiter Rudy Natong at the Hilton hotel last January.

Sangaji, who was also a reputed gang leader, was murdered at the Kebayoran Inn last Oct. 12.

According to the testimony of eyewitnesses during the trial, at least 15 people burst into Sangaji's hotel room and attacked him and two members of his group who were with him at the time. Sangaji died during the attack while the two others were badly injured.

Police later arrested eight suspects, and submitted the case files to state prosecutors.

The prosecutors dropped the primary charges of premeditated murder, arguing that the defendants acted spontaneously during a fight between the two groups.

"We can't charge them under Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder as there was not enough evidence for this," Nurhasan said after Tuesday's hearing, which was held in a South Jakarta police station to avoid a possible riot.

A brawl between the two groups occurred last month during the first day of the trial. A number of people had to be brought to the hospital after the incident.

The court adjourned the trial until May 20, when it is due to hear defense arguments.

In a separate trial, prosecutors sought jail terms ranging from three to four years for five other defendants for assisting Semy, Emang and Rais in the murder. The five defendants are Sevanya Rahakbau alias Lois, 32, Erwin Labettubun, 24, Koko Renwarin, 28, and Yopi Ingrattubun, 28.