Jon Afrizal, Jambi – The Jambi District Court sentenced Trisna Utami, an obstetric gynecology specialist, to one year in jail for performing an abortion.
At a hearing on Thursday, the judge panel also ordered Trisna to pay a Rp 50 million (US$3,500) fine or face an additional two months in jail.
The judge panel led by Ledis Mariana Bakara handed Wulandari, a midwife who helped Trisna perform abortions, a similar sentence.
The judge said both defendants were proven to have intentionally conducted abortion practices. They were found guilty of violating Article 75 (2) of Law No.36/2009 on health.
Meanwhile, three other defendants, cleaning service officer Sri Wiyati and two patients seeking abortions – Sely Puspita Sari and Melinda – received a lighter sentence. They were all sentenced to 10 months in jail.
The case came to the public's attention last year when the Jambi Police uncovered an illegal abortion scheme at the Puri Medika birth clinic on Jl. Griya Aur Duri, Jambi.
The police received information from local residents who reported that they found seven graves suspected to be the burial sites of aborted babies in two locations.
Four graves were found in the backyard of Trisna's house in Penyengat Rendah subdistrict, while three others were discovered at the Putri Ayu public cemetery in Telanaipura district, Jambi.
The clinic was reported to have provided illegal abortions since 2009 with a service fee ranging from Rp 10 million (US$727) to Rp 15 million each. (ebf)