The Denpasar District Court sentenced on Thursday a businessman to one month in jail term after founding him guilty of an assault that prevented a photographer with a local daily from conducting his journalistic work.
Judges hearing the case said Paul Handoko beat Radar Bali daily photographer Miftahudin M. Halim on Jan. 15, 2009 as the latter was covering the hand-over of the businessman’s case file in connection with an attack on a villa in Sanur area from the Bali prosecutor’s office to the Denpasar District Court. Miftahudin hurt his nose as the businessman pushed the photo journalist’s camera.
“The defendant is convicted of obstructing the journalistic work of the victim, which violates the Press Law,” presiding judge Dewa Made Wenten told the hearing.
Prosecutors had sought six months in suspended jail term for the businessman with one year probation.
The panel of judges cited the defendant’s old age and ailing health as the mitigating factors of the verdict, but insisted that he serve the prison term to deter him from repeating the offense.
While the press community hailed the court ruling, Paul said he would appeal the verdict.
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