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)