Jakarta, IO – The Religion Affairs Ministry (Kemenag) hopes the verdict will have a deterrent effect.
“Hopefully law enforcement brought against perpetrators of crimes against humanity, including immoral acts in educational institutions, can provide a deterrent effect,” said Kemenag’s Diniyah Education and Islamic Boarding Schools director Waryono Abdul Ghafur, reported Detik, Wednesday (4/1).
The case sparked public uproar when it was revealed on December 8, 2021. Even President Joko Widodo weighed in and paid special attention. Jokowi asked Herry to be strictly punished and that the well-being his victims be taken care of.
Based on court documents, Herry raped and impregnated the female students at the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) where he teaches between 2016 and 2021. Some of his victims even gave birth.
Herry is also suspected of misappropriating aid funds. He used the female students and the babies to attract sympathy and more donations from the public. The court heard 21 witnesses during six sessions of trials. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, but the prosecutor appealed.
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Bandung High Court increased the sentence to death penalty, arguing that it will create deterrent effect and protect the public from similar crime.
Herry then filed a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court (MA) but it was rejected. MA’s ruling was published on its website on Tuesday (3/1). (rr)