Prosecutors waiting for Adiguna medical results
Prosecutors waiting for Adiguna medical results
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.