Huzrin asks for city arrest status

Huzrin asks for city arrest status

Riau Island regent Huzrin Hood proposed to the Riau High Court on
Monday to allow him city arrest status, a request which was made
only two days after the regent was put under house arrest by the
same court.

If the high court grants me the city arrest status, it would
help me to carry out my duties, said Huzrin, who was sent to
prison 10 days ago by the Tanjung Pinang District Court.

"I could do my job while I was in prison, as all letters that
I had to sign could be brought to the prison.

The house arrest has made it possible to accomplish much more
work, but it would be much more convenient if the court gives me
a city arrest status," Huzrin said, quoted by Antara news agency
as saying.

Under city arrest, the convicted regent will be allowed to
tour the city to carry out his duties.

Huzrin was jailed by the Tanjung Pinang District Court for two
years on charges of corruption involving Rp 3.46 billion
(US$407,058) from the regency's budget in 2001.

The district court in Riau province also ordered Huzrin on
Thursday to pay a Rp 200 million fine and repay the money he
stole for personal gain.

Huzrin filed an appeal to the Riau High Court right after the
verdict in early October, and the High Court bowed on his appeal
and granted him house arrest status on Saturday.

Despite being convicted in the graft case, Huzrin is still in
office, as the governor and the home minister has not issued a
letter suspending him.