Jakarta. Jessica Kumala Wongso, convicted of murdering her friend Wayan Mirna Salihin by poisoning her coffee, was released on parole on Tuesday after serving approximately eight years in detention.

Jessica was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and all her appeals were rejected by the courts. According to the Justice Ministry, Jessica received sentence reductions totaling 59 months.

Accompanied by her lawyer, Otto Hasibuan, Jessica left the Pondok Bambu Women’s Prison in East Jakarta in the morning, smiling and waving at reporters as she got into a car.

“I’m hungry and craving some sushi and fresh drinks,” she said.

Even her lawyer was taken aback by her sudden release.

“Praise be to God. We are surprised as well because she was supposed to serve 20 years,” Otto said.

Another attorney, Hidayat Bostam, said the defense team will continue to pursue a judicial review of Jessica’s conviction, claiming to have new evidence that could overturn the guilty verdict.

“The plan for a judicial review is still in place, and we will file the petition next week,” Hidayat said.

Jessica was found guilty of premeditated murder for poisoning an iced coffee served to Mirna at a Jakarta café on January 6, 2016. She was named a suspect about three weeks after Mirna’s death and was arrested on January 30 of that year.

Jessica’s parole will remain in effect until March 27, 2032, during which she must regularly report to correctional authorities, said Deddy Eduar Eka Saputra, a spokesman for the Directorate General of Correctional Affairs of the Justice Ministry.

"During her time in prison, Jessica has shown good behavior based on the inmate scoring system," Deddy said.

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