Elza to be summoned next week

JAKARTA: The police will question next week a lawyer of defendant Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra over allegations that she bribed a witness to lie during Tommy's trial at the Central Jakarta District Court.

"Elza Syarief will be summoned next week. She should also be ready to be taken into custody if necessary," said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam, referring to the lawyer who leads Tommy's defense team.

According to the police, Elza gave Rahmat Hidayat, a former security guard, Rp 2 million (US$213) to lie under oath during a hearing two weeks ago.

Rahmat was arrested early last Sunday for perjury. In his testimony, Rahmat retracted an earlier statement he had given to police that Tommy was the owner of firearms and bullets found in an apartment.

The former security guard admitted last week during a press conference that he lied to the court after Elza told him to do so and gave him Rp 2 million.

The police are searching for two other former security guards also suspected of perjury.

Tommy is charged with masterminding the murder of Supreme Court justice M. Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, who had sentenced Tommy to jail for graft. He also faces charges of illegal firearms possession and flight from justice.

If convicted, he could face the death penalty. -- JP