Indonesia’s former anti-graft chief was yesterday convicted of plotting the murder of a businessman and sentenced to 18 years in prison in a case that has undermined the country’s fight against corruption.
Prosecutors had demanded the death penalty for Antasari Azhar, a former head of the independent Corruption Eradication Commission, but the judge cited Azhar’s politeness, dedication to the commission and lack of a prior record in delivering the lighter sentence.
Azhar, 56, said he would appeal.
Judge Herri Swantoro found Azhar guilty of plotting the March 15 killing of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, director of pharmaceutical company PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran. He was shot through the window of his car as he left a golf course on the outskirts of the capital, Jakarta.
“The defendant has been proven guilty of conspiring to plot a premeditated murder,” said in South Jakarta District Court.
Prosecutors accused Azhar of ordering Zulkarnaen’s killing in a bid to keep him from exposing an incident of alleged sexual harassment between Azhar and Zulkarnaen’s wife.
Azhar denied wrongdoing and described his arrest as a smear campaign in retaliation for his efforts to put high-ranking officials behind bars for corruption.
“I respect the verdict, but as a good citizen, give us a chance to seek justice,” he told the court after he was sentenced. “We will appeal.”
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