The Ferdy Sambo Verdict Causes a Stir: How Many Death Penalty Cases Are There in Indonesia?

"Bang!" Wahyu Iman Santoso banged the gavel after reading the verdict, "sentencing the defendant to death; therefore, with the death penalty."

The verdict, read by the Chief Justice, was met with an uproar from those present at the South Jakarta District Court on Monday (February 13, 2023).

Ferdy Sambo, the defendant in question, remained standing tall and stared straight at the judge. There was no reaction after he was found guilty of the murder of his own subordinate, Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat (Brigadier J), on July 8, 2022.

The judge found no reason to reduce Ferdy Sambo's sentence. The former Head of the Professional and Security Division of the Indonesian National Police was deemed to be the mastermind behind the murder plot that resulted in Brigadier J's death.

Other suspects involved include Bharada Richard Eliezer, the executor or shooter; Bripka Ricky Rizal; Kuat Ma'ruf, Ferdy Sambo's household assistant; and Putri Candrawathi, Ferdy Sambo's wife.

The verdict for Ferdy Sambo was actually harsher than the prosecutor's demand. Previously, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) had demanded a life sentence for Ferdy Sambo.

The Ferdy Sambo case adds to the long list of death sentences in Indonesia. According to records from Amnesty International Indonesia, in 2021, the number had reached 114 verdicts.

This figure is slightly down from 2020, which had 117 verdicts. In 2019, there were 80 verdicts.

Amnesty International Indonesia stated that in 2021, 94 cases, or 82% of the total death sentences, were handed down for narcotics crimes. The remaining 14 were for murder, and 6 for terrorism.

(Also read: How Many People Have Been Sentenced to Death in Indonesia?)

In addition, data from Amnesty International also shows that as of 2021, there had been no executions for these death sentences; only verdicts. Cumulatively, there were 569 defendants awaiting execution of the death penalty as of 2021.

Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said that Ferdy Sambo's actions constitute a serious crime that is difficult to tolerate.

Especially given his capacity as the head of the police. Quoting the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Usman referred to this case as extrajudicial killing. This means the act constitutes a crime under international law.

"Although Sambo needs to be severely punished, he still has the right to live," said Usman in his official statement on Monday (February 13, 2023).

Usman instead urged the state to focus on improving the overall system of accountability for security personnel involved in crimes in any name. "Amnesty has noted that extrajudicial killings involving officials are often not thoroughly investigated," said Usman.

In Usman's opinion, the death penalty is not a shortcut to improving police accountability as law enforcers. This is not the first extrajudicial killing case involving police officers.

"This case should serve as a reminder for the Police to immediately undertake serious internal reforms," Usman concluded.

The following are the number of death sentences in Indonesia compiled by Amnesty International Indonesia:

* 2014: 6 verdicts
* 2015: 46 verdicts
* 2016: 60 verdicts
* 2017: 47 verdicts
* 2018: 48 verdicts
* 2019: 80 verdicts
* 2020: 117 verdicts
* 2021: 114 verdicts

(Also read: Majority of Public Agree Ferdy Sambo Should Be Sentenced to Death)