Razman Nasution begins prison sentence for defamation case

Razman Arif Nasution, convicted of defaming lawyer Hotman Paris Hutapea, has officially begun serving his 1.5-year prison sentence at Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta. His incarceration follows a final and binding court decision.

Nasution was found guilty under Article 27 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 45 paragraph (3) of Indonesia's Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Law. The case stemmed from alleged defamation involving Putri Iqlima Aprilia, who also received a six-month sentence and a fine. Prosecutors had initially sought a two-year sentence for Nasution.

The legal battle dates back to 2022. Nasution's initial sentence was 1.5 years, along with a Rp 200 million fine, or four months additional imprisonment if unpaid. Notably, Nasution was absent during the sentencing hearing due to illness and was later declared to have left the country without permission, prompting the court to proceed with the verdict in his absence.

Nasution's appeal to the DKI Jakarta High Court was unsuccessful, upholding the original sentence. The court found that he had traveled abroad without authorization, despite his previous claims of receiving medical treatment. His current imprisonment marks the end of a protracted legal process.