Police captain jailed for bribery

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)