JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The panel of judges at the Jakarta High Court dropped a 16 years jail term to to Ahmad Fathanah, a defendant and an aide of former PKS Chairman Luthfi Hasana Ishaq, in a graft case of beef import quota.

Earlier the Jakarta Corruption Court had sentenced Fathanah for 14 years in prison, lighter than the prosecutors’ demand (17.5 years).

According to the verdict of the Jakarta High Court published on Wednesday (March 26) in its official site (www.pt-jakarta.go.id), the panel of judges also fined Fathanah with Rp1 billion or a six-months ‘imprisonment if he failed to pay the fine. The panel of judges presided by Achmad Sobari concluded that Fathanah has proven guilty for committing corruption and money laundering acts.

The verdict trial was held on March 19, 2014. Fathanah’s colleague, Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, had been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Latest, Fathanah along with Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, Hilmi Aminuddin (PKS patron chief), and Suswono (Minister of Agriculture and PKS politician) were Tuesday (March 25), testified as witnesses for Maria Elizabeth Liman, President Director of PT Indoguna Utama and one of suspects in the case. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)