Ex-BI director indicted for graft

Ex-BI director indicted for graft

JAKARTA: Former Bank Indonesia director Heru Supraptomo was indicted on Wednesday, charged with manipulating the central bank's liquidity support funds (BLBI) and causing the state to suffer Rp 6.3 trillion in losses.

A second defendant, Paul Sutopo, another central bank director facing similar charges relating to Rp 18 trillion in losses, appeared in the same court on Monday.

A third alleged fraudster, Hendro Budiyanto, is to appear in court in the near future on a date yet to be determined.

Prosecutor Firdaus D. Wilmar read his 143-page indictment during Heru's first day of proceedings in a hearing presided over by Judge Rukmini in the Central Jakarta District Court.

Heru's charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.

The hearing was adjourned till Jan. 28 when Heru is scheduled to present his response to the indictment. --JP