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Indonesian Court Sentences Two Hotel Workers to 18 Years for Murder of Spanish Traveler in Lombok

Relatives welcomed accountability, questioning why other hotel staff were never charged.

Overview

  • Judge Kelik Trimargo sentenced Suhaeli (“Eli”) and Heri Ridwan (“Geri”) to 18 years each, with time already spent in detention credited.
  • Prosecutor Made Saptini had sought 18-year terms after filing charges of homicide, premeditated murder and robbery with violence.
  • The convicted men, a worker and a former worker at the Bumi Aditya hotel, admitted entering Matilde Muñoz’s room to steal and killing her when she woke.
  • An autopsy found death by asphyxia with trauma to the head, neck and chest, and her body was discovered on August 30 on a Senggigi beach after being hidden and moved.
  • Spanish authorities and Interpol prompted the August investigation, while the family cites unresolved inconsistencies and the lack of charges against two other hotel employees.