Mr. Fardi Sambo is a 2-star former police general and former head of the Internal Affairs Unit of the Indonesian National Police.
Mr Sambo was the prime suspect when the body of a bodyguard (Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat, 27) was found at his home in the capital Jakarta in July 2022.
Mr. Sambo is alleged to have ordered his subordinates to shoot Hutabarat, then personally fired another shot at the victim’s wound.
The case attracted the attention of Indonesian public opinion.
sheet wise south china morning postIt is unclear what caused Mr. Hutabarat’s death at Mr. Sambo’s home, although prosecutors at the trial in February 2023 said Hutabarat was having an affair with Sambo’s wife.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sambo and his wife (Mrs. Putri Candrawati) testified that Hutabarat tried to sexually assault Ms. Candrawati and opened fire before Mr. Sambo appeared and warned him.
Mr Ferdi Sambo at a court hearing on February 13, 2023 in Jakarta. Photo: Reuters
The judge then convicted Mr. Sambo of premeditated murder and sentenced him to death. sheet wise south china morning postThe verdict is said to bring justice to Mr Hutabarat and his family.
However, the Indonesian Supreme Court’s decision on 8 August to overturn Mr. Sambo’s death sentence prompted many people to express disappointment on social networks.
Berlian Simmermata, a professor of criminal law at the University of Santo Tomas in Medan, said the court’s decision was not what the public expected but that it was “still within the legal corridor” and under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Indonesia.
Mr. Simmarta said: “Legally, there is nothing wrong with the Supreme Court’s decision. However, public opinion will differ on this decision.”
Mr Simermata said that under new criminal law to come into effect in Indonesia from 2026, Mr Sambo could apply for a reduction in prison sentence to 20 years after serving at least 15 years, meaning he could face future I can be released.
Chandravati, wife of Mr. Fardi Sambo, at a court hearing on February 13, 2023. Photo: Jakarta Globe
The Supreme Court also reduced the sentence of other defendants in the case.
Notably, the prison term of Mr. Sambo’s wife, Putri Chandravati, was reduced from 20 years to 10 years. The prison sentence for Kuat Maroof, an assistant to Mr. Sambo’s family, was reduced from 15 years to 10 years. In addition, the prison sentence of Ricky Rizal Wibowo, a police officer, was also reduced from 13 years to 8 years.
Police officer Richard Eliezer Pudihang Lumiu, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison, was released with conditions from 4 August.
Sambo’s trial comes amid a number of legal troubles for the Indonesian police force.
Before Sambo’s trial was due to take place in October 2022, police fired tear gas at football fans at Kanjuruhan Stadium in the city of Malang, triggering a stampede and stampede that left 135 dead.
