Judges extend Puteh's detention

JAKARTA: Judges to hear the corruption case involving Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Governor Abdullah Puteh have extended his detention period for 30 days.

Ridwan Mansyur, the spokesman for the Central Jakarta District Court, which supervises the antigraft court, said on Monday the decision would keep Puteh behind bars after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) submitted his case file last week.

Puteh's trial is expected to begin at the end of this month.

The court will deliver its verdict 90 days after that as stipulated in the law on the KPK.

Puteh has been named a suspect in the alleged mark-up of a Russian chopper bought by the Aceh administration, which cost the state some Rp 4 billion (US$444,444). -- Antara