Fachrul Sidiq, Jakarta – One of the considerations behind the clemency granted to former chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Antasari Azhar, who had been convicted of murder, was based on support from the victim's family, a Supreme Court (MA) official revealed on Wednesday evening.
"From what I heard, the victim's family supported the clemency request [filed by Antasari]. There was an official statement from the family regarding it," court spokesperson Suhadi told The Jakarta Post.
Besides the court, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly also supported the clemency because of "irregularities" in Antasari's murder case. "I smell something fishy in the murder case [implicating Antasari]," Yasona previously said.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo granted six years' clemency for Antasari, who was previously sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment in 2010 for masterminding the drive-by shooting of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen, a director of state-owned pharmaceutical company Rajawali Putra Banjaran.
However, speculation is rife that Antasari was set up because of his efforts as KPK chief to bring former high-ranking officials suspected of graft to trial.
Antasari is scheduled to meet with President Jokowi at the State Palace on Thursday to talk about the "irregularities" of his case. (jun)