Two Defendants in LNG Corruption Case to Deliberate After Guilty Verdict

Director of Gas at PT Pertamina from 2012-2014, Hari Karyuliarto, and Senior Vice President (SVP) of Gas & Power at PT Pertamina from 2013-2014, Yenni Andayani, stated they would deliberate on appealing after being found guilty in the corruption case concerning the procurement of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at PT Pertamina from 2011-2021, which harmed the state by US$113,839,186.60."Such is the verdict read by the panel of judges. Regarding this verdict, the defendants and the respective Public Prosecutors have the right to state their position: accept, deliberate, or appeal within seven days after the verdict is pronounced," said the chief judge Suwandi while reading the verdict’s operative part at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (4/5).The judge gave the defendants time to communicate with their legal counsel."How about the defendant Hari Karyuliarto, will you answer yourself or hand it over to your advocate? What is your answer? Accept, deliberate, or appeal?" asked the judge."Honourable panel of judges, I have heard the considerations from the panel of judges, I feel this is a decision that…" said Hari, who was immediately interrupted by the judge."You do not need to comment on the verdict; your rights are to accept, deliberate, or appeal. Commenting on the verdict will be addressed through legal remedies if you do not accept the verdict," rebuked the judge."Very well, this is an evil decision, but nevertheless, I have not thought about taking legal action," said Hari."So you are deliberating?" asked the judge to confirm."I will use this seven-day period," he replied.Meanwhile, Yenni handed it entirely to her legal counsel. In line with Hari, Yenni’s side also stated they would deliberate. The Public Prosecutors’ team from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) did the same.Hari and Yenni were found guilty of violating Article 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph 1 first of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code as charged in the second indictment.Hari was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment plus a fine of Rp200 million subsidiary to replacement imprisonment of 80 days.Yenny was sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment plus a fine of Rp200 million subsidiary to replacement imprisonment of 80 days."It is stipulated that the detention period already served by the defendants is fully deducted from the imposed sentence," said the judge.The verdict is lower than the KPK prosecutors’ demands, which sought six years and six months for Hari and five years and six months for Yenny.