ANG Kim Soei only shook his head in bewilderment as presiding judge, Hatta Ali, of the Tangerang District Court read out the verdict sentencing him to death. His face turned red; Kim was jolted for a moment when Ali banged the gavel at the end of the pronouncement.

Kim, 50, uttered not a single word when asked by Ali whether he would appeal the decision. He simply raised his shoulders and feebly pointed toward his legal counsel Syahrizal E.