Chief Judge Indri stated that the three were proven guilty of illegally carrying narcotic drugs and had violated Law Number 35 of 2009 on Category I narcotic drugs.
Wan An Kang, Chen Jaa Wie, and Lo Chih Chen had smuggled methamphetamine by strapping packages of the drug on their midriffs.
The three, who were caught by customs officers at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport on October 7, 2014, were also fined Rp1 billion.
On hearing the verdict, the defendants, through their lawyers, sought time to think over whether they would appeal it.
The judges' decision was lighter than the prosecutors' demand, which was a death penalty.
Indri stated that the judges did not agree with the prosecutors' demand to grant a death sentence, as during the sessions they had admitted to have committed the crime and were repentant and had pledged to not repeat their actions in the future.
The judges expressed hope that by granting life imprisonment, the defendants would have time to bring about a change in their lives.
The Prosecutor, Agus, said they respected the ruling but will appeal it within seven days.
He remarked that the prosecutors would appeal the ruling, as they thought the demand was in line with the governments policy on the eradication of narcotic drugs.
The Indonesian government has adopted a harsh stance in dealing with narcotic cases, and several narcotic convicts have been executed in the country.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
