Jakarta. Prosecutors have seized more than Rp 20 billion ($1.3 million) in cash from three judges accused of accepting bribes during a high-profile murder trial involving Ronald Tannur, the son of a former parliament member.

Ronald was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Dini Sera Afrianti, by ramming her with his car after they spent the night at a nightclub in Surabaya on October 4, 2023. The three judges -- Erintuah Damanik, Mangapul, and Heru Hanindyo -- have now been arrested on corruption charges.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court overturned the previous acquittal and sentenced Ronald to five years in prison for murder, following an appeal by prosecutors. The court found Ronald guilty of violent assault, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years if it results in the victim’s death.

Abdul Qohar, the Criminal Investigation Director at the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), said that the seized cash, in various currencies, was found during separate searches at the residences of the judges and Lisa Rahman, Ronald's defense lawyer, in Jakarta, Semarang, and Surabaya.

At Judge Heru’s Surabaya apartment, prosecutors confiscated Rp 104 million, $2,200, 9,100 Singaporean dollars, and 100,000 yen.

From Judge Erintuah’s apartment in Surabaya, they seized Rp 97.5 million, 32,000 Singaporean dollars, and 35,992.25 Malaysian ringgit. A search at his Semarang residence turned up $6,000 and 300 Singaporean dollars.

Meanwhile, a search of Judge Mangapul’s Surabaya apartment resulted in the confiscation of Rp 21.4 million, $2,000, and 32,000 Singaporean dollars.

Prosecutors also seized large sums from Lisa Rahman's properties in Surabaya and Jakarta, including Rp 1.19 billion, $451,700, 717,043 Singaporean dollars, and banknotes in other currencies totaling Rp 2.1 billion.

Ronald’s arrest came shortly after Dini’s death at a shopping mall parking lot in Surabaya. He is the son of Edward Tannur, a former House of Representatives member from the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Dini, a 29-year-old widow from Sukabumi, West Java, had a 12-year-old child. According to police, Ronald allegedly struck Dini with his car in the parking lot of Lenmarc Mall on Jalan Mayjen Jonosewojo, Surabaya, following a heated argument. He then transported her to an apartment before eventually taking her to a hospital, where she died en route.

The trial began on March 19, with prosecutors charging Ronald with murder and aggravated assault and initially seeking a 12-year prison sentence.

On July 24, the judges acquitted Ronald of all charges and ordered his immediate release, sparking criticism from the AGO and members of the public.

Two days after the acquittal, AGO spokesman Harli Siregar condemned the verdict as flawed and unsupported, stating that it relied solely on the judges' personal opinions. He criticized the judges for disregarding key evidence, including CCTV footage showing Ronald’s car striking the victim and forensic reports on the cause of death.

Harli argued that Ronald's actions in providing emergency aid to the victim after the incident should not mitigate his guilt, as his actions demonstrated malicious intent. The AGO subsequently filed an appeal, leading to the Supreme Court’s decision to impose a five-year sentence.