Actor Ammar Zoni, facing charges in an alleged drug trafficking case, presented his defense plea (pleidoi) at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday (2/4). Standing before the panel of judges, the former husband of Irish Bella vehemently denied accusations of being a drug dealer or pusher. Tears streaming down his face, Ammar Zoni swore he was merely an addict desperate for help.
He expressed his strong belief that the Public Prosecutor’s demand for a nine-year prison sentence and a Rp 500 million fine was profoundly unjust for someone struggling with drug abuse. “By Allah, I am not as accused. By Allah, I am not a dealer. By Allah, I have never once sold or acted as an intermediary, nor possessed or even stored such goods as alleged,” Ammar firmly stated, reiterating his innocence.
Allegations of Drug Circulation Within the Detention Center
Ammar Zoni then made startling revelations, claiming that during his time in Salemba Detention Center, he witnessed a “nest of drugs.” He asserted that it was incredibly challenging to recover in an environment where narcotics were readily available. “That is where the nest is, all types of drugs,” Ammar explained, detailing the pervasive issue. “It is truly very difficult to avoid it all. Drugs there feel like buying fried peanuts; they are very easy to obtain at a relatively cheap price.”
Ammar confessed to succumbing to his addiction while in that environment, attributing his struggle to his mental health state at the time. He described himself as someone “mentally unwell,” making it even harder to resist the pervasive presence of drugs.
Towards the end of his plea, Ammar made an impassioned appeal to the panel of judges, earnestly requesting them to consider his future as both a father and an artist. “I sincerely beg for my fate, that Your Honors consider my age, my future, my career, my family, my young children who need their biological father. Not as a criminal whose life deserves to be destroyed,” Ammar pleaded, seeking empathy and a second chance.
In a deeply personal moment, Ammar also offered a heartfelt apology to his children, Air and Amala. He expressed profound regret for having squandered precious time that he should have spent witnessing their growth and development. “Forgive Daddy, my children. For all the time together that has been largely wasted. Daddy promises that soon, Daddy will make up for all the lost time,” Ammar pledged, hoping for redemption and a future with his family.
Summary
Actor Ammar Zoni presented his defense plea, vehemently denying accusations of being a drug dealer or pusher. He swore “By Allah” he was merely an addict seeking help and never sold, mediated, or stored drugs as alleged. Ammar deemed the prosecutor’s nine-year prison sentence demand unjust for someone battling drug abuse.
He revealed a “nest of drugs” within the Salemba Detention Center, where narcotics were easily obtainable like “fried peanuts.” Ammar confessed to succumbing to addiction there due to his “mentally unwell” state. He appealed to the judges to consider his future as a father and artist, emphasizing his young children needed him. Finally, he offered a heartfelt apology to his children for the time wasted.