Key BNI suspect seen in Los Angeles

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Police have sent a team of police officers to Los Angeles, California in the U.S. to track down Adrian Waworuntu, one of the key suspects in the Rp 1.7 trillion (US$185 million) Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) scandal, following a report that the suspect was spotted in the city.

Besides sending the police officers, the National Police also sent all required documents to U.S. security authorities, including Adrian's criminal records to ensure the capture of Adrian, said chief of the National Police Gen. Da'i Bachtiar on Friday.

The four-star general told reporters that he had also spoken with the Indonesian Consul General in Los Angeles.

Among the police officers sent to the U.S. was Brig. Gen. Gorries Mere, who has had experience bringing home criminal suspects from U.S., according to Da'i.

Gorries made headlines several years ago when he brought home Harnoko Dewantoro, a suspect in a murder case, and Zarima Mirafsur, a suspect in a drug case. Both have been prosecuted.

Gorries also made headlines for the Starbucks/Ali Imron fiasco in August.

The National Police, who have been trying to capture Adrian over the last few months, embarked on the U.S. venture after an American detective informed an Indonesian diplomat that he saw Adrian in Los Angeles.

The Indonesian diplomat then relayed the information to the police here.

Indonesia has no official extradition treaty with the U.S., but previous experience, as shown in Harnoko and Zarima cases, proves that criminal suspects in the U.S. can sometimes be captured.

It was made possible through the use of an Interpol link and other diplomatic methods, including legal mutual assistance.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda informed reporters that the U.S. immigration office and the FBI had already asked the Indonesian police to send more specific and complete data on Adrian.

However, it was apparently no longer a problem because the police had already sent out all required documents to U.S. authorities.

Meanwhile, the investigation continued on Friday over Brig. Gen. Samuel Ismoko, who has been accused of taking a large bribe from Adrian to let him escape. National Police Internal Affairs Division Chief Insp. Gen. Supriyadi said on Friday that his officers were interrogating Ismoko, the director of the economic crimes division, for allegedly receiving money from Adrian that led to his escape.

Several media outlets have reported that one of the other suspects in the case, Rudy Sutopo, the Petindo Group director, accused Ismoko of taking at least US$20,000 from Adrian, one of the Gramarindo Group directors. Both companies were reportedly involved in the massive embezzlement scandal at state-owned BNI.

Rudy, who is being held at Cipinang prison pending his trial, said that Adrian borrowed money from him in order to give some "pocket money" to Ismoko before an official trip to Thailand.

He added that all of the investigators from the economic crimes division received money; between Rp 25 million to Rp 50 million according to their rank.

Supriyadi said that they were now preparing to speak with Rudy.

Adrian's escape has made headlines of late because many citizens suspect that he was abetted by the authorities in his escape.