Comedian denies prosecution

JAKARTA: Lawyers representing comedian Barata Nugraha, whose stage name is Polo, told a hearing at the East Jakarta District Court on Wednesday that the charges leveled against their client were obscure. Polo is being charged with possession of illegal drugs.

Dhaniswara Harjono pointed out that prosecutor Murtiningsih failed to name the owner of a package of shabu-shabu (crystal metamphetamine) found behind a painting in a room at Vila Citra motel in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta.

"It also doesn't reveal where the police found other evidence such as an inhaler and matches ... It misses three important facts: Someone had stayed in the room before the defendant and Kentus, now still at large, rented it.

"Second, witnesses received the information about the drugs from an unidentified caller, and third, the defendant has said he has nothing to do with the drugs in the room," he stated.

The prosecutors will deliver their arguments next week. -- Antara