Batam (ANTARA) - Batam prosecutors demanded the death penalty for six defendants in a smuggling case involving two tons of methamphetamine transported aboard the Sea Dragon Terawa vessel in Riau Islands waters.
The Batam District Attorney's Office prosecutors sought the death penalty for two Thai citizens and four Indonesian citizens during a trial at the Batam District Court on Thursday.
The indictments were read out individually, beginning with Thai defendants Weerepat Phongwan and Teerapong Lekpradube, followed by Indonesian defendants Fandi Ramadhan, Richard Halomoan, Leo Candra Samosir, and Hasiholan Samosir.
The prosecution stated that the charges were supported by the testimony of 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses.
The evidence consisted of 67 brown cardboard boxes wrapped in clear plastic. Sixty-six boxes contained 30 green plastic packages filled with methamphetamine each, and one box contained 20 packages, totaling nearly 2 tons.
"We conclude that the defendants have been legally and convincingly proven to have committed a crime in violation of the law, as stipulated in Article 114 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009," said prosecutor Gustirio Kurniawan.
The prosecution requested that the panel of judges adjudicate and find the defendants guilty as charged.
"Defendant Weerepat Phongwan is sentenced to death with an order that the defendant remain in state detention," Gustirio stated, followed by identical demands for the other five defendants.
The prosecution's grounds for the maximum sentence were that the defendants' actions undermined government drug eradication programs, endangered the nation's future, and involved an international narcotics network.
"There are no mitigating circumstances," Gustirio added.
Following the reading of the indictments, the defendants’ lawyers requested to submit a written defense (pleidoi), leading the judge to adjourn the trial for two weeks.
The defense hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2026.
