Two Surabaya Judges Sentenced to 7 Years for Accepting Bribes in Ronald Tannur Acquittal Case

Jakarta, Xweb.biz.id — The Central Jakarta District Court sentenced two non-active judges from the Surabaya District Court, Erintuah Damanik and Mangapul, to seven years in prison for accepting bribes amounting to IDR 4.67 billion. The bribes were linked to the controversial acquittal of murder convict Ronald Tannur in 2024.

The verdict was read by Chief Judge Teguh Santoso on Thursday (8/7), who stated that both judges had been found guilty of corruption, specifically for accepting bribes and gratuities in a case that has severely damaged public trust in Indonesia’s judiciary.

“Sentencing the defendant Erintuah Damanik to 7 years in prison and a fine of IDR 500 million. If the fine is not paid, it will be substituted by 3 months of imprisonment,” said Judge Teguh.

The same sentence was handed to Mangapul, who also received a subsidiary sentence of three months if he fails to pay the court-imposed fine.

Details of the Corruption Case

The bribes were reportedly given by Lisa Rachmat, the defense attorney of Ronald Tannur. The three non-active judges — Erintuah Damanik, Mangapul, and Heru Hanindyo — were initially accused of receiving not only rupiah, but also foreign currencies including:

• Singapore Dollars

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• Malaysian Ringgit

• Japanese Yen

• Euros

• Saudi Riyals

The total bribe was estimated at IDR 4.67 billion, which included IDR 1 billion in cash and 308,000 Singapore Dollars (equivalent to IDR 3.67 billion at the time, with an exchange rate of IDR 11,900 per SGD).

Public Prosecutor’s Demands

The Public Prosecutor had initially demanded 9 years imprisonment and a fine of IDR 750 million for both Erintuah and Mangapul. The judges were charged under multiple provisions of Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Law (Law No. 31/1999 as amended by Law No. 20/2001), in conjunction with Article 55(1)(1) of the Criminal Code.

Aggravating factors considered by the prosecution included:

• Undermining the integrity of the judiciary.

• Betraying the public’s trust in the Supreme Court and judicial institutions.

• Failing to support government programs aimed at eradicating corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN).

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The only mitigating factor cited was that none of the judges had prior convictions.

Background: Ronald Tannur’s Acquittal

The corruption case centers on the 2024 acquittal of Ronald Tannur, who was on trial for murder. The public outcry over the verdict intensified suspicions of judicial corruption, which eventually led to a full-scale investigation.

Earlier, Heru Hanindyo, the third judge involved, received a heavier sentence of 12 years, while Erintuah and Mangapul received seven years each.

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