Jakarta, March 23 (ANTARA) - A court that has been trying former banker Hendra Rahardja in absentia for corruption here, Friday sentenced him to life and a fine of Rp30 million.
The Central Jakarta district court ruled the former chairman of Bank Harapan Sentosa's board of commissioners had jointly with his accomplices or individually committed corruption causing a huge loss to the state.
Hendra was also required to pay Rp1.9 trillion worth of indemnities along with other defendants, namely bank commissioner Eko Edi Putranto and bank director Syerni Kojongian.
Eko Edu Putranto and Syerni Kojongian were each sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Chief judge Subardi said in his verdict that no factors could help reduce the sentence.
He said the defendant had had no responsibility towards the state which had been hit by a crisis and had helped destroy the country's economy.
Hendra's lawyer M Syafri Noer said he would appeal the court's decision.
He said the trial had been unfair because he and his client were not allowed to attend it.
The court in absentia should not have been held as his client was available and his whereabouts were also known.
"At present our client is in Sydney, Australia. He is still under detention pending the conclusion of an appeal over the request for his extradition from the Indonesian government," he said.
He said his client should have been allowed to attend the trial to present evidence and defense.
Public prosecutor Andi Rachman expressed his satisfaction over the court's decision which was the same as his demand.
Regarding the sentence's execution, he said "we will announce it later through the press."
Asked if he would ask Interpol to do it, he said it was a technical problem.
