Verdict Declared for Antasari Today

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - After four months of litigation, today, the three judges will give their verdict for the former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief, Antasari Azhar, accused for the murder of the director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, Nasrudin Zulkarnaen. The other three accused for the case, Sigit Haryo Wibisono, Wiliardi Wizar, and Jerry Hermawan Lo, will also face their verdicts today.

Both sides, Antasari's and the public prosecution, stated that they're ready for whatever the judges decide. "We're mentally prepared," said one of Antasari's legal representatives, Juniver Girsang, when contacted by Kompas.com, Wednesday.

Public prosecutor, Cyrus Sinaga, stated, "We're ready with whatever the panel of judges decide," as quoted by Antara.

For months the public attention has been seized by the accused's trials, especially Antasari's, since Antasari was the number one man in the KPK prior to the murder charge. Antasari believes that there is a major conspiration to entrap him. While the public prosecution believes that Antasari is the mastermind of Nasrudin's murder.

From Kompas.com's observation during the trials, much commotion broke out during the trials. The first such incident was when the public prosecution read Antasari's charges during the first trial in October 2009.

At that time, the public prosecution read a detailed accusation containing the fornication act suspected to have transpired between Antasari and Rani Juliani, wife of the late Nasrudin. The public was stunned on hearing the prosecution's explanations.

The next uproar was when the accused Wiliardi Wizar gave his testimony in Antasari's trial. Wiliardi vehemently stated that he was coaxed by Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko and a number of other high police officials to forge a testimony to entrap Antasari in Nasrudin's case. He was promised to have only disciplinary sanction. Antasari shed tears on hearing the testimony.

Subsequently, the testimony has formed the public opinion that Antasari's case was doctored, especially since it coincides with the case of two framed KPK deputy chiefs, Bibit S. Riyanto and Chandra M. Hamzah. The police denies of any doctoring attempt and showed the video recording of Wiliardi's examination by the Jakarta Police.

Another shock was when forensic expert, Mun'im Idris, admitted during trial that he'd been asked by the police to omit his explanation in the visum regarding the 9 mm bullets that was shot by the executor. The police immediately denies this. According to the police, the request was made because Mun'im didn't have authority to inspect the bullets; that was the authority of the ballistics expert.

Psychology Forensic Association chief, Yusti Probowati, also surprised the public with her testimony. She examined Antasari's psyche and revealed that he was sensitive and paranoid when his power was threatened. This was refuted by Antasari's side by getting a second opinion from another psychologist, Sarlito Wirawan.

Most recently, Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji also caused a commotion when he gave his mitigating testimony for Antasari. In his full police attire and during working hours, Susno stated that there was a separate team formed by the National Police chief to handle Antasari's case, aside from the one led by Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko. Susno's appearance was at first kept a secret by Antasari's side. (Sandro Gatra/C17-09)