'Bob' Hasan transferred from Salemba to Cipinang

'Bob' Hasan transferred from Salemba to Cipinang

JAKARTA (JP): Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, a convicted timber tycoon
and golf buddy of former president Soeharto, was transferred to
the Cipinang penitentiary in Central Jakarta less than 12 hours
after he was sent to the Salemba detention center, also in the
same district.

Reports said that Hasan, who was sent to Salemba detention
center on Tuesday at 11 a.m., was moved to Cipinang correctional
institution later in the night, at around 10 p.m.

Earlier this month the Central Jakarta District Court
sentenced Hasan to two years for graft. Strangely, it allowed the
convict to spend the sentence at home because during the trial
Hasan was put under house arrest.

In response to the prosecutors' appeal, the Jakarta High Court
decided on Feb.10 to lift the house arrest. Based on the ruling,
Hasan was sent to the Salemba detention center.

One of Hasan's lawyers, Chairunnisa Jafizhan, said that his
client was moved to Cipinang correctional institution because
Salemba detention center was overcrowded, Kompas.com reported.

An employee at the center said Tuesday that the institution,
which had a capacity of 753 people, held 1,856 detainees. Hasan
had to share a two-meter by 2.5 meter room with East Timorese
prointegration fighter Eurico Guterres and another detainee.

Prosecutor Arnold Angkow said he was not aware about the
transfer of Hasan but he said that this was the right of the
Salemba detention center.

The Cipinang correctional institution applies heavier security
measures than the Salemba detention center and most of the
detainees inside the building are 'high level' criminals whose
sentences have been upheld by the court of appeal. (sim)