Indonesian detained in Rome for money scam

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

An Indonesian businessman from Riau has been detained in Rome by Interpol under the request of the Dutch police for his alleged involvement in money laundering, an official of the Indonesian foreign ministry said.

Marty Natalegawa said on Friday that the businessman, Nader Thahir, was arrested last Saturday and underwent a preliminary court hearing on Thursday in Rome.

"The (Thursday) hearing has confirmed that he is the same person described in the red notice from the Dutch police, but he refuses to be extradited to the Netherlands," Marty said in the press briefing.

Nader, gubernatorial aspirant for Riau province, was arrested by the Italian police on Saturday as he checked in at a hotel in Rome with his wife and daughter.

Marty said that the Italian police had informed the Indonesian embassy of the arrest and explained the circumstances surrounding it.

The Netherlands government is yet to provide further information about the case against Nader.

"We do not have further details concerning the money laundering case. Our duty is to ensure that he (Nader) gets fairly treated," Marty said.

Local media reported that Nader is the nephew of Syarwan Hamid, former minister of home affairs under then president Soeharto as well as under B.J. Habibie.

Nader is also the president of a local oil company PT Melayu Riau Petroleum and comes from one of the richest families in the province.

"Nader could be bailed out temporarily if he proves to the court that he does not have a criminal record in Indonesia and has a permanent address in Rome," Marty said.

He said that the Italian government could detain Nader for three months. But added that the Dutch government should submit an official request for his extradition, within the next 14-days.

Marty added that the Indonesian embassy was providing Nader with legal assistance, while his family had hired a local lawyer to help him with the case.