The Corruption Court in Jakarta has sentenced the former Chief Executive of Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta), Emirsyah Satar, to eight years in prison and a fine of IDR1 billion rupiah (USD67,000) for corruption related to aircraft and parts procurement, the Antara news agency has reported.

Indonesian flag carrier's former CEO had been charged with accepting IDR49.3 billion rupiah (USD3.3 million) in bribes and laundering a further IDR87.5 billion (USD5.9 million).

"The defendant, as a leader, should have been a role model for Garuda Indonesia, but he instead undertook actions that cheated the company, on which many employees depended for their livelihoods," Chief Justice Rosmina said during a hearing held via videoconference.

The ruling falls short of the prosecution's demands which included 12 years in prison and a fine of IDR10 billion (USD670,000). The judge said he had taken Emirsyah's admission of guilt and his good behaviour in court into consideration while drawing up his verdict. Rosmina also acknowledged that despite his corruption, Emirsyah had improved Garuda's global standing.

However, as a supplementary penalty, Emirsyah has also been ordered to repay SGD2.1 million Singaporean dollars (USD1.5 million) in restitution to Garuda.

Emirsyah's team will now consider the verdict ahead of a possible appeal.

Also named in the antigraft body's suit were former Garuda engineering and management director Hadinoto Soedigno and former Garuda executive project manager Agus Wahjudo.