Indonesian detained in Rome for money scam
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.