In a trial held via teleconference, presiding judge IGN Putra Atmaja said the Swiss national, identified as 45-year-old Raphael Hoang, was found guilty of smuggling 30 grams of marijuana into Bali last year. He was sentenced according to Article 113 of Indonesia’s 2009 Narcotics Law, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. 

Prosecutors in the case previously demanded that Hoang be sentenced to 10 years in prison. 

Hoang’s final sentence ended up being six-and-a-half years in prison ⁠— to be reduced by his detention period ⁠— and a fine of IDR1 billion (US$67,000).

The Swiss man’s legal counsel said that he will be appealing against the sentence. 

“The defendant stated his objection to this sentence and will file an appeal, Your Honor,” a member of Hoang’s legal counsel said during the virtual trial. 

Hoang was arrested last September at Ngurah Rai International Airport, after authorities found marijuana in his possession. He reportedly admitted to authorities that the illegal drugs belonged to him and that he had acquired them in his home country of Switzerland.

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