The Jakarta Globe, December 12, 2013.
The Semarang District Court handed down a two-year prison term on Thursday to an Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) member who killed a woman with his car during a violent confrontation in Central Java on July 18.
“The defendant is sentenced to serve two years in prison and pay a Rp 1 million [$83] fine or serve an extra month in prison,” said presiding judge Fathul Bari, according to Indonesian news portal Tribunnnews.com. Prosecutors had demanded three years in prison.
The defendant, Sony Haryono, was found guilty of manslaughter under Indonesia’s traffic law.
The incident occurred after the FPI forced the closure of a number of “entertainment venues” in the Sukorejo subdistrict. Local residents began to fight back, despite the presence of police. The FPI members were outnumbered and Sony hit the victim, Tri Munarti — who was on a motorcycle with her husband, Yulianto — when he was driving away in a panic.
Ihwan Tuankotta, Sony’s lawyer, said his client accepted the sentence. Prosecutor Fikfik Zulrofik said he was still mulling over the ruling.
Seven suspects were named by police in the wake of the incident, and five have been convicted so far. Two FPI members, Satrio Yuwono, 22, and Bayu Agung Wicaksono, 22, were found to have breached a 1951 law on carrying weapons when they were arrested holding a machete and a samurai sword. They each received four-month sentences.
Two Sukorejo residents, Paedo Gogikularimah and Agus Riadi, each received five months in prison and a Rp 2,500 fine for damaging an FPI car during the clash.
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do 12 dec 2013 - 20:46
