Depok, W. Java, July 2 -- Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that the government is maintaining a neutral stance regarding the 10-year prison sentence imposed on former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim.

Yusril emphasized here on Thursday that the executive branch has not interfered with the judiciary, stressing that the administration expects the high-profile graft case to play out entirely through the legal process.

"If proven guilty, then he will be punished; if not proven guilty, then he will be released," Yusril said in Depok, West Java.

Because the corruption case has only been decided by the court of first instance, Yusril noted that Nadiem retains the legal right...