Praptono moved from cell to hospital

Praptono moved from cell to hospital

JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Praptono H. Tjitrohupojo, who is
suspected of corruption, was removed from his cell at the
Attorney General's Office and taken to the hospital on Thursday
night.

Praptono, director of privately run oil company PT Ustraindo
Petro Gas, has a prolonged heart condition which was made worse
by the dampness in his cell, where he had been detained for 15
days, Praptono's lawyer Iwan Ridwan said.

"Early this morning my client suffered breathing difficulties.
Just this evening state prosecutors issued a permit for Pak
Praptono to be treated at Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Jatinegara,
as recommended by my client's cardiologist.

"During detention my client often used oxygen to help him
breathe," he told The Jakarta Post.

Praptono's treatment period will not be deducted from his 20-
day detention period.

He is being investigated in connection with a US$24.8 million
corruption case involving government projects carried out in the
early 1990s with state oil and gas company Pertamina.

Former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasasmita and
his successor Ida Bagus Sudjana, and former Pertamina president
Faisal Abda'oe are also suspects in the case.(bby)