Vendor jailed for extortion

A 22-year-old vendor was sentenced to eight months in jail on Monday after he was found guilty of pointing a knife at a couple visiting the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.

The Central Jakarta district court handed down the verdict that Hardiana, alias Nanang, was guilty of extorting money from the couple at knife-point last June.

Nanang failed to get anything from the couple because Subekan, his intended victim, suddenly grabbed his hand and knocked him down.

Earlier, the prosecutor had asked the court to sentence Hardiana to 10 months because his action scared away other people from visiting the Monas park. (bsr)