Prosecutors await medical diagnosis on Adiguna

Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Prosecutors are waiting to be advised of the medical diagnosis on Adiguna Sutowo, the sole suspect in the murder of Yohannes "Rudy" Berchmans Haerudy Natong.

Adiguna, a younger brother of businessman Ponco Sutowo, was rushed to Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Monday evening after he fell unconscious in his cell at Salemba Penitentiary, Central Jakarta.

Danu Sebayang, one of prosecutors handling the case, said no explanation of Adiguna's condition had been given by the doctors.

"We had to take Adiguna to the hospital last night after he lost consciousness in his cell due to acute asthma. We put him in Pertamina Hospital because Thamrin Hospital was full," he told The Jakarta Post.

Danu said that if doctors decided the suspect should remain in the hospital then prosecutors would have to respect that.

Adiguna's presence at court is required on Thursday when the judges decide whether the Central Jakarta District Court should proceed with the case, after the defense questioned the clarity of the indictment.

"We'll have to postpone the trial if he is to be treated in the hospital because we cannot continue without him," Danu said.

He rejected the suggestion that Adiguna was trying to prolong the trial and perhaps avoid justice by feigning illness.

"No, his hospitalization won't cut his detention time. We will keep our eye on him and on the hospital," said Danu.

Many suspects, including Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh, a corruption suspect, and Confederation of Primary Cooperatives Association (Inkud) chairman Nurdin Halid, fell sick when they were in detention. Several others have managed to avoid trial by flying abroad for medication.

Wealthy and powerful Adiguna has been charged under Article 338 of the Criminal Code on murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, plus Article 1 of Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on illegal possession of firearms, which carries a maximum life sentence.