Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Two Malaysian citizens who have helped corruption suspect Neneng Sri Wahyuni in her escape were sentenced to seven years in jail here on Tuesday.

Chief judge Pangeran Napitupulu said in a Jakarta Corruption Court Mohammad Hasan bin Khusni Mohammad and R Azmi bin Muhammad Yusof had been proven validly and convincingly guilty violating the corruption law.

The two were also fined Rp300 million and have to stay seven months more in jail if they failed to pay it.

The prosecutors had demanded nine years in jail and a fine of Rp200 million for each of them.

"Factors that are incriminating them are that they have denied the charge," he said.

The judges were against the lawyers` argument that the defendants were not aware that Neneng Sri Wahyuni was wanted by the Indonesian police over corruption.

"The first and second defendants knew Neneng Sri Wahyuni had been named suspects by KPK (anti-graft agency) in connection with a corruption case in a power plant development project and as Neneng`s whereabouts were not known she was then put in the wanted list," they said.

Neneng, the wife of former treasurer of the ruling Democrat Party was caught by KPK at her house on June 30, 2012 after arriving from Batam from Johor Baru, Malaysia, through an illegal route, helped by the two defendants.

Upon hearing the verdicts the two defendants said they would think whether or not they would appeal.

"We will discuss it with our lawyer, he knows what the best," Hasan bin KHusni said.

The prosecutors also said they would think whether or not to appeal but they have all seven days to make a decision.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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