Jakarta. A former Indonesian police officer has been sentenced to death for the premeditated murder of his sister-in-law, a 23-year-old university student, by the Malang District Court in East Java.

The court on Wednesday found Agus Muhammad Sulaiman guilty of planning the murder of Faradila Amalia Najwa, a student at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), in late December 2025.

Presiding Judge Achmad Soberi said the verdict was based on witness testimony, the defendant’s statements, and evidence presented during the trial. The judges concluded that Agus was the mastermind behind the killing.

The court found that Agus, who was struggling with debt, deliberately lured and confined Faradila to take her money and valuables. He was proven to have withdrawn Rp10 million ($600) from her bank account and intended to take the remaining balance and other valuable belongings, according to the court’s findings.

“Defendant Agus Muhammad Sulaiman is sentenced to death,” Soberi said while delivering the verdict.

The sentence was harsher than the prosecution’s demand for life imprisonment.

The court also sentenced co-defendant Suyitno to 20 years in prison for assisting in the murder at Agus’ direction.

Faradila’s family expressed relief after the verdict. Her father prostrated himself in gratitude in the courtroom after the judges announced the sentences.

Romli, a member of the victim’s family, said the family was satisfied with the death sentence and thanked the judges for their decision.

“We are very satisfied with the death sentence. We hope there will be no appeal,” he said.

The family said it hoped the verdict would deliver justice for Faradila and bring closure after months of waiting for a legal resolution.

Indonesia continues to retain the death penalty, but its legal status changed under the new Criminal Code, which took effect on Jan. 2, 2026. Capital punishment is now classified as a special penalty and is intended as a last resort, rather than a principal punishment.

Under the new rules, a death sentence is imposed with a 10-year probation period. If a prisoner demonstrates good conduct during the period, the sentence can be commuted to life imprisonment through a presidential decision following consideration by the Supreme Court.

The new Criminal Code also provides that premeditated murder can carry the death penalty, life imprisonment, or a prison term of up to 20 years, giving judges alternative sentencing options

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