In a case that underscores the severe penalties for drug offences in Indonesia, a Hong Kong man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after a Zoom video call was presented as key evidence against him.
The defendant, identified only by his initials HHY, was convicted by a Denpasar district court for his involvement in a marijuana deal. The prosecution successfully used a recording of a video call, made on the popular platform Zoom, to place him at the scene of the crime in Bali.
Presiding judge Wayan Sukanila delivered the verdict, stating the evidence was "legally and convincingly proven" that the defendant had committed a criminal act as charged. The court heard that HHY was arrested in a hotel room in the bustling Kuta area of Bali in August 2023.
This case highlights the zero-tolerance approach Indonesian authorities take towards narcotics. The country has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, with offences often carrying lengthy prison sentences or even the death penalty in extreme cases.
The use of digital evidence, such as video calls from platforms like Zoom, marks a modern twist in law enforcement techniques. This verdict serves as a stark warning to travellers about the serious consequences of engaging in any illegal activities while in Indonesia.
