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)