Passports of crime suspects withdrawn<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The directorate general of immigration has
\nwithdrawn the passports of two prominent businessmen who have
\nbeen declared suspects in a graft case and banned from overseas
\ntravel.<\/p>\n
Head of the sub-directorate of immigration control of the
\nMinistry of Justice and Human Rights, M. Zaelani, said on Tuesday
\nthat Robby Tjahjadi and Johannes Kotjo were both suspects in a
\ngraft case.<\/p>\n
\"They surrendered their passports voluntarily last Friday and
\nMonday following our summonses. We have also summoned several
\nothers to surrender their passports,\" he said in his office.<\/p>\n
The passports would only be valid after the travel ban had
\nbeen lifted, he said, and that if they refused to hand them over
\nthe office would declare them invalid and they would not be
\nallowed to be issued with new passports.<\/p>\n
Zaelani said his office had received a list of 201 suspects
\nwho had been banned from leaving the country by the Attorney
\nGeneral's Office and another list of 29 suspects from the
\nMinistry of Finance.<\/p>\n
The passports' withdrawal was a follow up of a ministerial
\ndecree issued in July by former minister of justice and human
\nrights Marsillam Simandjuntak to facilitate investigation into
\nthe suspects.<\/p>\n
Unlike Robby and Johannes who are in Jakarta, many other
\nsuspects are staying abroad for various reasons, including health
\ncheckups, business, or for academic studies.<\/p>\n
At least three graft suspects of the Attorney General's Office
\nare staying overseas and their investigation has been delayed.
\nThey include businessmen Sjamsul Nursalim and Prayogo Pangestu,
\nand former minister of trade and industry and former chairman of
\nthe State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Rahardi Ramelan.<\/p>\n
Rahardi, who is a suspect in a 1998 corruption case involving
\nBulog for misappropriating Rp 54 billion (US$6 million) in non-
\nbudgetary funds, is reported to have been staying in the United
\nStates and is expected to arrive in Jakarta next week.<\/p>\n
Director of Immigration Supervision and Control Muhammad Indra
\nsaid he had given instructions to the immigration office at the
\nairport to withdraw Rahardi's passport as soon as the latter
\nlanded in the country.(bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/passports-of-crime-suspects-withdrawn-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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