Officials held over graft allegations

INDONESIA: Prosecutors in Padang, West Sumatra, have detained since Saturday 10 of 45 councillors charged with corruption.

Padang Prosecutor's Office chief Muharnis said on Saturday that they were detained for fear that they might abscond while prosecutors prepared charges against them.

Besides the 10, three other councillors are being prosecuted at Padang District Court. Prosecutors are preparing charges against the remaining 32 councillors.

All 45 councillors are facing charges relating to corruption allegations concerning the Padang budget in 2001 and 2002, and amounting to Rp 10.4 billion (US$1.2 million). -- JP