Medan, Ekuatorial – Despite still lower than charged by prosecutors, two years sentenced for illegal wildlife trader was still considered as positive development in tackling the crime, said animal activists and officials.
On February, Vast Haris Nugroho Nasution was caught red-handed in an undercover police set up for selling a baby orangutan (Pongo abelii), in Sembiring Hospital, Deli Tua, Deli Serdang district, North Sumatra.
It was later revealed in the court that Nasution is a seasoned illegal wildlife collector who had managed to sell at least two orangutans. The police also found tiger skin, tiger fangs, eagles, flat-headed cat, among other endangered animals. In addition, Nasution employed Dedek Setiawan, who was convicted in illegal wildlife trading for selling endangered fish, gibbon and siamang. Setiawan was sentenced to 16 months in prison, on August, 2014.
Prosecutor Emmy F Manurung initially charged Nasution with three years in prison and Rp 10 millions fine (US$751) however Judge Agus Setiawan sentenced him with two years in prison and Rp 10 million fine based on the 1990 Law on Conservation.
Irma Hermawati, Wildlife Crime Unit coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society, appreciated the move and underlined that two years sentenced for online wildlife trading was the highest verdict reached compare to similar cases, especially for orangutans.
“This is very good. We really appreciate the judge’s verdict. This [the verdict] is not bad and can be considered as maximum though we did hope that he can give five years [in prison],” said Hermawati.
Furthermore, she has hopes that the verdict can be the benchmark for other illegal wildlife trading, especially recent pangolin bust which will face its first trial in Medan Court, on Monday (13/7).
“We hope that the judge would not be affected by the suspect though he is already old but he had done lots of crimes,” she said.
Evansus Manalu, spokesman for North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation agency, said that the verdict showed judge’s understanding on environment and its ecosystem which must be protected.
“There is a positive development in the verdict,” said Manalu citing several orangutans cases of which the court had sentenced to only eight months in 2012 and 16 months in 2014, in Kabanjahe Court and Medan court, respectively.
Rasio Ridho Sani, director general of law enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that the judge’s decision would give deterrent effect for those illegally trading protected plants and animals.
“Because, it’s not only [about] state loss but also our dignity,” said Sani as quoted in a text message. Mei