Elza to be summoned next week

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