Sat, 22 Sep 2001

Ari Sigit behind bars

JAKARTA (JP): The grandson of former president Soeharto, Ari Haryo Wibowo, or popularly known as Ari Sigit, was discharged from the hospital on Friday and transferred to Salemba prison.

The 31-year-old Ari is the second member of the former first family to be put behind bars after his wife Gusti Maya Firanti Noor was jailed for drugs.

Detikcom reported that Ari arrived at the prison in Central Jakarta on Friday at about 6 p.m., bringing with him pillows and a mattress. An hour later several men arrived with suitcases and take-out food from the Japanese fast-food chain, Hoka-Hoka Bento, apparently for his dinner.

Head of Salemba prison S. Prihantono said Ari would be treated like any other prisoner and would share quarters with 170 to 200 others.

"The cells are full so we've put Ari in an area along with other detainees who are also waiting for their cases to be tried," Prihantono said.

Ari was detained following a search of his house in the Menteng area where police found live ammunition. The search was part of an effort to locate Ari's fugitive uncle Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra. (emf)