Hendra Rahardja 'can be extradited'

JAKARTA (JP): National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar M. Sianipar said on Monday that a Sydney court had ruled that fugitive banker Hendra Rahardja could be extradited to Indonesia.

"Hendra has also been given the opportunity to stand before a higher Australian court. Whatever the outcome, I assure you that the man will be thrown in jail," Togar said at National Police Headquarters.

"The date of the extradition hearing is yet to be set," he said.

Earlier, Hendra's lawyers had asked the Sydney court not to meet Jakarta's call for the defendant's extradition.

Hendra's legal team -- Tym Game, Dean Jordan and Ron Kessel -- said the extradition of their client would be politicized.

"Hendra's case could be further influenced by the Indonesian authorities, mainly because of his Chinese descent," the lawyers said.

Hendra was arrested on June 1 by immigration officials at Kingsford-Smith International Airport in Sydney.

Hendra was apprehended on a warrant from Indonesian authorities circulated through the Interpol network, after he fled the country in November 1997, following liquidation of two of his banks: Bank Harapan Sentosa (BHS) and Bank Guna International.

Hendra is the brother of escaped prisoner Eddy Tansil, who is still at large after bribing warders and walking out of Cipinang Penitentiary three years ago. (ylt)