Hokiarto too sick to hear ruling<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court canceled on
\nWednesday its delivery of a verdict on businessman Hokiarto, who
\nwas tried for his involvement in a land scam that caused the
\nstate Rp 48.7 billion (US$5.6 million) in losses, as the
\ndefendant called in sick.<\/p>\n
Hokiarto is being charged under Law No. 3\/1971 on corruption,
\nwhich carries a maximum life sentence.<\/p>\n
His lawyer Albert Nadeak handed over a letter from a doctor at
\nHusada Hospital, West Jakarta, stating that Hokiarto was sick.
\nHowever, the letter did not explain his ailment nor condition.<\/p>\n
The same court had earlier freed the 69-year-old businessman
\nin September 2002 from a similar case that caused state losses of
\nRp 95.4 billion, due to ambiguities in the indictment. It also
\nruled earlier that the case should have been taken before the
\nNorth Jakarta District Court, which had jurisdiction over the
\nscene of the crime.<\/p>\n
Other defendants in the case -- Hutomo \"Tommy\" Mandala Putra
\nand Ricardo Gelael -- were both sentenced to 18 months
\nimprisonment in 1999, while Beddu Amang, who was also involved in
\nthe scam, is serving his four-year jail term.<\/p>\n
Presiding judge Machmud Rohimi adjourned the reading of the
\nverdict until next Monday. -- JP<\/p>",
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