Marzuki insists that Soeharto attend trial<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Marzuki Darusman insisted on
\nMonday that former president Soeharto be present in court when
\nhis corruption trial begins, possibly next month.<\/p>\n
"If Soeharto cannot attend the trial because of illness or
\nother factors, then the trial will have to be delayed until he
\ncan appear in court," Marzuki announced after a meeting with his
\nstaff to discuss the Soeharto case.<\/p>\n
Lawyers for the former president earlier warned that their 79-
\nyear-old client was physically unfit to stand trial, saying he
\nhas deteriorating speech capability. They said his illness would
\nrender him incapable of defending himself effectively.<\/p>\n
Marzuki has vowed to complete the dossier on the former tyrant
\nby Aug. 10 with the trial expected immediately afterward.<\/p>\n
The Soeharto investigation is expected to feature prominently
\nin the progress report that President Abdurrahman Wahid will
\npresent to the People's Consultative Assembly next month.<\/p>\n
The investigation was slowed by Soeharto's illness but Marzuki
\nindicated on Monday that the government was well ahead of
\nschedule.<\/p>\n
The team of prosecutors assigned to handle the case will soon
\nput the final touches on the dossier and the Attorney General's
\nOffice will write up the formal indictment next week.<\/p>\n
"We will make an announcement next week on the district court
\nselected to try the case, and the name of the prosecutor to
\nhandle the case," he said.<\/p>\n
The investigation has concentrated on how seven tax-free
\ncharities chaired by Soeharto allegedly amassed massive wealth by
\nreportedly using privileges of the presidential office.<\/p>\n
With little cooperation from Soeharto, the investigating team
\nhas built its case based on testimony from more than 100 people,
\nincluding his children and cronies and Cabinet ministers who
\nserved under him.<\/p>\n
Marzuki also disclosed on Monday that his office had won
\napproval from several courts of law to seize idle assets
\nbelonging to the charitable foundations.<\/p>\n
"We will start the confiscation in the very near future," he
\nsaid. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/marzuki-insists-that-soeharto-attend-trial-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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