Prosecutors Demand 6 Years Jail Time for Ratna Sarumpaet
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29 May 2019 10:59 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Public prosecutors are demanding six years of imprisonment for Ratna Sarumpaet, defendant in the hoax-spreading case. Prosecutors said in their indictment that Ratna is guilty of spreading lies that she was abused, which had caused public uproar.
Public prosecutor Daru Trisadono mentioned several incriminating factors in the indictment, including the fact that she is an "elderly with intellectuality—a public speaker, who did not behave properly."
The indictment hearing was held Tuesday afternoon, May 28, at the South Jakarta State Court.
Daru Said that Ratna's position as a prominent activist brings public attention to everything she say, and thus she has the responsibility to think before speaking.
Read: Ratna Sarumpaet Facing 10 Years Jail Sentence; Hopes to Walk Free
Another incriminating factor is, prosecutors said, Ratna's non-cooperative behavior in court. She is said to have been giving convoluted statements during the hearings, including when she was giving the chronological timeline of the spreading of her lies.
"The defendant swerved, cover-up facts, and was not telling the truth straightforwardly," Daru said.
However, prosecutors also said that there are facts that help lessen the charges against Ratna, which was her apology for lying.
Nevertheless, an apology does not erase the crime.
Ratna Sarumpaet said she would file an appeal over the demanded sentence. "The appeal trial will be in three weeks," Ratna said.
TAUFIQ SIDDIQ