Indonesia's top court upholds prison term for former agriculture minister

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Indonesia's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a former agriculture minister, upholding his 12-year prison sentence, the country's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced Monday.

The court also upheld the financial penalties imposed on Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who is required to repay the state 44.5 billion rupiah ($2.7 million) and $30,000 in stolen assets.

If he fails to do so, his sentence will be extended by another five years, local English daily the Jakarta Globe reported.

According to KPK spokesman Tessa Mahardhika, the former minister's conviction is now final and legally binding, meaning he must begin serving his prison term and pay the fines as ordered by the court.

Syahrul was found guilty of extorting his subordinates for money during his tenure as agriculture minister from 2020-2023.

He was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Central Jakarta District Court in July last year.

However, after he appealed the ruling, the Jakarta High Court not only upheld his conviction but also increased his sentence to 12 years and significantly raised his fine.

While the ruling is final, Syahrul still has the possibility of filing a judicial review if he can present new evidence that could support his case, the report said.