Suspects named in soccer scam

Suspects named in soccer scam

JAKARTA (JP): Police officially named six suspects yesterday
in an alleged match-fixing and bribery scam during the Indonesian
League from 1994 to 1997.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang identified the
suspects by their initials as Nas, HL, JC, SP, DD and a senior
national soccer referee, DU.

"Four out of the six are referees, and the other two are
officials of the Referees Committee and a soccer club," Aritonang
said.

They were allegedly involved in either handing over the bribes
or receiving them, he added.

Aritonang said they were charged under the 1980 Bribery Law,
which carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a Rp 15
million (about US$1,500) fine for those found guilty of offering
bribes.

A recipient of a bribe is subject to a maximum penalty of
three years in jail and a Rp 15 million fine.

He said none of the suspects had been detained.

DU, probably the best-known suspect and already featured in
many media reports, was the only suspect who had not been
questioned, Aritonang added.

"The other five were previously been questioned as witnesses."

He said 24 people, including 14 referees, had so far been
questioned as witnesses in the case.

"The number of witnesses and suspects may increase because the
investigation is still continuing."

Documents, including receipts, were seized as evidence, he
said. (cst)