Bapindo suspects demand change of arrest status<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A lawyer representing two suspects in the
\nBapindo corruption investigation demanded the release of his
\nclients, stressing that by law they are entitled to wait for
\ntheir trial at home.<\/p>\n
Lawyer Denny Kailimang told reporters yesterday that his firm
\nhas put in a petition with the Attorney General's office for the
\nconditional release of Maman Suparman and Towil Heryoto.<\/p>\n
Denny said his clients are barred from leaving the country in
\nany case and that they are virtually penniless after the
\nconfiscation of most of their assets by the government.<\/p>\n
Denny said that the families involved would be willing to
\nguarantee that the two men would not leave the city limits.<\/p>\n
\"There is no reason to fear that they will flee,\" he said.<\/p>\n
If released, the suspects would be required to remain in
\nJakarta until the start of their trials.<\/p>\n
Maman is the former deputy manager of the Jakarta branch of
\nBapindo, while Towil is a former president of the bank.<\/p>\n
Maman has been under arrest since Feb. 16 and the warrant for
\nhis detention has already been extended and will now expire on
\nApril 16. Towil's term ended on Wednesday but the authorities
\nhave extended it for 20 more days. He was arrested on March 18.<\/p>\n
There are two other suspects in the investigation of the Rp
\n1.3 trillion ($620 million) scandal at the government bank. They
\nare Subekti Ismaun, also a former president of the bank, and Eddy
\nTansil, the businessman to whom some $430 million Bapindo loans
\nwere extended, in violation of normal banking practices.<\/p>\n
\"The Attorney General's office has no reason to extend the
\narrest warrant for our clients,\" Denny said yesterday.<\/p>\n
He cited article 21 of the Criminal Code which states that the
\nauthorities cannot hold anyone unless they are flight risk, in a
\nposition to damage or eliminate material evidence, or likely
\ncommit another crime.<\/p>\n
\"None of these apply in regard to my clients,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He further stated that his clients could be put either under
\nhouse arrest or given the liberty of the city under article 52 of
\nthe Criminal Code.<\/p>\n
Denny is handling Maman's case while his partner in the law
\nfirm Rudy Lontoh has been assigned to represent Towil.<\/p>\n
Denny said his clients are entitled to freedom of movement
\nwithin the city because of the barrage of negative publicity
\ngiven them since their arrests.<\/p>\n
If released before their trials, they could at least defend
\nthemselves in public, and redress public opinion before the
\ntrials start.<\/p>\n
The Attorney General's office is building their case based on
\nthe 1971 anti corruption law.<\/p>\n
Tansil has been accused of draining Bapindo of funds through
\nillicit means, with the help of a number of the bank's
\nexecutives.<\/p>\n
Tansil and Maman are expected to be first before the court,
\ninvestigators said. (02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bapindo-suspects-demand-change-of-arrest-status-1447899208",
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