Drop probe into justices: Court<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court ordered the
\nJoint Anti-Corruption Team (TGPTPK) on Friday to drop its
\ncorruption investigation into two justices of the Supreme Court,
\nsaying that the team has acted beyond its authority.<\/p>\n
Judge Rusmandani approved the demand of the two justices --
\nSupraptini Sutarto and Marnis Kahar -- to declare the
\ninvestigation invalid because of questions about the legality of
\nthe team's work.<\/p>\n
He said the court was not against the drive to eradicate
\ncorruption, but insisted that it must stay within the legal
\ncorridors.<\/p>\n
The team, set up by a presidential decree in May, announced on
\nAug. 21 that following its investigation, three serving and
\nretired justices had accepted bribes totaling Rp 196 million
\n($22,500) during a land conflict hearing last year.<\/p>\n
The third person who was implicated, retired justice M. Yahya
\nHarahap, did not join the motion to file suit against TGPTPK, but
\nall three have denied the corruption accusations.<\/p>\n
M. Silaban, a member and spokesman for the team, told
\nreporters it planned to file an appeal with the Supreme Court
\nagainst the decision.<\/p>\n
In spite of the ruling, the team would continue to investigate
\ncorruption cases, he said.<\/p>\n
The team has made it a priority to eradicate corruption in
\nthe judicial system, including the Supreme Court and district
\ncourts.<\/p>\n
The team was established following the enactment of the 1999
\nlaw on corruption as a provisional body until the establishment
\nof an anticorruption commission in 2002.<\/p>\n
According to the law, the team -- comprising police, state
\nprosecutors and people from the legal profession -- is empowered
\nto conduct investigations and to prosecute suspects. It can also
\nseize evidence and tap telephone lines. (01)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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