Former IKON member B.I confirmed for suspension over drug abuse scandal

▲ This photo shows B.I, former leader of idol group IKON, attending the court for the first trial's sentence. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sep. 23 (Yonhap) -- Sentence for B.I (25 Kim Han-bin), the former leader of idol group IKON for drug administration has been confirmed.

Earlier the singer received a suspended sentence.

Both the prosecutor and the accused parties did not submit an appeal during the period open for petitions which was due the 17th after the first trial, according to the legal circle Thursday.

Petitions for appeals for criminal trials are allowed in 7 days after the sentence.

B.I was sent to court in April and May 2016 for having bought cannabis and LSD pills, a kind of drugs, from an acquaintance A and for administrating some of them. After the crime, he left his band IKON, and his former agency YG Entertainment closed their partnership with the artist.

Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to three years in prison and four years of suspension. The artist was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service, 40 hours of drug treatment session and was charged with 1.5 million won.

“A celebrity’s dealing with drugs have a great social impact for it dilutes the public and youngsters’ alert against drugs,” said the court.

But they have also taken into account that, “The accused has admitted all his crimes and is repenting.”

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