Police captain jailed for bribery

JAKARTA (JP): A Yogyakarta military tribunal sentenced Capt. Suko Haryanto yesterday to 28 months in jail and discharged him from the police force after he was found guilty of taking bribes, Antara reported.

The jail sentence meted out by the tribunal was four months more lenient than the one demanded by the prosecuting attorney who demanded a 32 month jail term.

Suko and his lawyers said they would appeal the verdict, saying the punishment was too severe.

Yesterday's trial was presided over by Col. Diris Sitorus, who read the verdict. Suko was defended by a team of police lawyers led by Col. Moenir.

Moenir told the tribunal that they should not have discharged his client, arguing that the police force could still make use of Suko's capacity in the future.

However, Judge Sitorus gave the plea a cold shoulder, saying Suko had tarnished the image of the police and the Armed Forces.

Military prosecuting attorney, Col. Asmar Gutji, told the military tribunal that Suko had received a bribe from two drug traffickers named A Siong Margono and Toni Hartoyo.

The tribunal accepted the prosecuting attorney's argument that Suko received Rp 45 million for the release of Sara Regina, one of A Siong's and Toni's accomplices, when she was arrested for illegal drug possession in March 1997.

However, Suko maintained that most of the money he received went to his superior, former head of Yogyakarta's detective unit Lt. Col. Hanifan who is now stationed in the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta. (aan)