Court Approves E-KTP Graft Defendants as Justice Collaborators

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Corruption Court has approved a request made by e-KTP graft case defendants Irman and Sugiharto to become justice collaborators (JC). The panel of judges chief Jhon Halasan Butarbutar said that the decision was made based on the defendants' willingness to admit their crime.

“The defendants have confessed their crimes and exposed other suspects. Therefore, [we hereby] approve their request to become JCs,” Jhon said during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday, July 20.

Read: E-KTP Trial: Judge Sentences Defendants 7 and 5 Years in Prison

Jhon said that the approval would serve as a factor that will ease Irman and Sugiharto’s prison sentence. During the e-KTP trial, Irman and Sugiharto have cooperated by telling the truth and reveal information. Both defendants had also been consistent in exposing individuals who received the fund flow.

However, the panel of judges handed down sentences demanded by the prosecutors. Irman and Sugiharto were sentenced to seven years and five years in prison, respectively, for being guilty of enriching themselves, others, or corporations and causing Rp2.3 trillion in state losses.

The panel of judges views that the defendants have acted against the government’s efforts to eradicate corruption. The corruption act was massive and affect the general public. In addition, the panel of judges of the e-KTP trial considers that both defendants have caused huge state losses.

MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI