The Denpasar District Court has sentenced a Nigerian man to one year in prison after finding him guilty of attempting to rape an Australian woman while they were both on holiday in Bali. Idongesit Joseph Zion, a Nigerian national, was found guilty of trying to rape an Australian woman identified as KTR.
The conviction was announced on Thursday, 6th of July 2023, by presiding judge Ida Bagus Bamadewa Patiputra, who said, “The defendant, Idongesit Joseph Zion, is deemed legally guilty of attempted rape. The defendant receives a one-year imprisonment sentence.
The court determined that the Nigerian man had met the prerequisites of Article 285 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP) in combination with Article 53 Paragraph 1 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP), which deals with attempted rape. Furthermore, the court stated Zion’s conduct breached decency principles, worsening the situation.
“The aggravating factors include clear victim harm and a violation of decency values.” Prosecutor Ni Made Desi Pratiwi stated, “The victim suffered losses and felt violated as a woman.”
However, the court considered mitigating considerations, such as the fact that both the victim and the offender had forgiven one other during the initial trial. Consequently, both the prosecution and Zion’s defence stated their intention to appeal the judge’s decision.
On the 2nd of December of last year, KTR and Zion came into contact at the Finn Club on Berawa Beach Street in Canggu. A friend accompanied Zion, while KTR was accompanied by her sister.
KTR conversed with Zion and then lost interest and left the club. Zion sensed her intent and offered her a lift back to her hotel to win her over.
Despite KTR’s objections, the Nigerian man persevered and even went so far as to hire a motorbike taxi for her online. Unknowingly riding the motorbike to take him to Zion’s house on Teuku Umar Street, KTR fell for Zion’s trick. It was there when Zion attempted to rape her.
Thankfully, KTR could sound an alert immediately before the attack started. She escaped the terrifying situation with the help of Zion’s friend and her sister.
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