UCA News
Contribute

Indonesia in wrangle over blood money in maid's murder case

Saudi victim's family demands $1.8 million in return for clemency
Indonesia in wrangle over blood money in maid's murder case

Dira Square, Riyadh, locally know as 'Chop Chop Square,' where public beheadings take place (file picture: Wikimedia Commons)

Published: March 25, 2014 05:35 AM GMT
Updated: March 24, 2014 07:10 PM GMT

The [Indonesian] Foreign Ministry said on Monday that though it would continue to advocate for the release of Satinah binti Jumadi Ahmad — a migrant worker set to be beheaded in Saudi Arabia on April 3 for murdering her employer — the state would not pay blood money to the family of the deceased to spare her life.

Speaking at a ministry press conference, the director of legal aid and protection for Indonesian nationals overseas, Tatang Budie Utama Razak, said the government would continue to provide assistance to the 41-year-old Central Java native’s family through the Coins For Satinah donation fund. 

“The government has donated to Satinah’s family. Don’t confuse that with using state funds. We should not be made to pay [the blood money],” said Tatang, explaining that the government had no obligation to use state finances for recompense in criminal cases.

He went on to say that the government had exhausted every avenue of formal diplomacy but would continue lobbying for her release through discrete channels. 

Separately, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto revealed that the government had raised 4 million riyals (US$1.07 million) for Satinah, but that fell short of the 7 million riyals for diyat (blood money) demanded by the family. 

“The government has asked the family to lower its demand, but they refused. It’s become a commodity,” Djoko said after a meeting in Yogyakarta.

According to Gatot Abdullah Mansyur, head of the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI), the 4 million riyals had been deposited with the inheritance management body (Baitul-Mal) in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia, for the victim’s family to confirm.

Gatot also revealed that the April 3 execution date was not final.

“Saudi Arabia reserves the right to keep it a secret. Only God knows,” said Gatot, adding that the Saudi government would only inform the family of the accused a day before the execution.

According to Tatang, the Foreign Ministry had handled 66 cases of Indonesian nationals on death row in Saudi Arabia since 2011, with 39 cases currently in the appeals court.

The ministry had secured the release of 48 Indonesian nationals and migrant workers, he added.

Meanwhile, Satinah’s family in Semarang regency in Central Java is hoping for more support from the community so the mother of one child could be spared from death.

“Only the diyat can free my sister,” said Paeri, Satinah’s younger brother, when reached by phone on Monday.

Satinah stands convicted of killing her employer, Nura Al Gharib, and stealing 37,970 riyals from her in July, 2007, in Gaseem, Saudi Arabia.

After confessing to the crimes, Satinah was imprisoned in Gaseem in 2009, but a higher court sentenced her to death in August 2011. The execution has been postponed three times since then.

The heirs of the victim disclosed they would grant clemency, provided they received the 7 million riyals (US$ 1.8 million) in compensation. If the diyat is not paid by April 3, Satinah will be executed. 

Full Story: State funds won’t be 
used to pay Saudi blood 
money: Government

Source:Jakarta Post

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia