Suwondo fails to appear in court
Suwondo fails to appear in court
JAKARTA (JP): The prime suspect in the multi-billion rupiah
State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal, Alip Agung Suwondo, who
was scheduled to stand trial on Thursday, failed to appear in
court on grounds of ill health.
Suwondo's lawyer Denny Azani Latief claimed that his client
was now being treated at the police's Dr. Sukanto Hospital in
Kramat Jati, North Jakarta for chronic gastritis.
"He is now in bed, is in a weak condition and is receiving
intravenous feeding and oxygen," Denny told the North Jakarta
District Court.
The court rescheduled the trial to next Thursday and ordered
the prosecutors to monitor the defendant's health and to ensure
his appearance at the hearing.
Suwondo, alias An Peng Sui, the masseur of President
Abdurrahman Wahid, is alleged to have defrauded Bulog of Rp 35
billion, which was said to have been withdrawn from the Bulog
employees' foundation, Yanatera, at the request of President
Abdurrahman.
The police found that Suwondo had received four checks from
former Bulog deputy chief Sapuan during January of last year. The
checks were issued by the private Bank Bukopin.
Sapuan is now facing trial and the prosecutors will read out
the indictment on Feb. 6.
On Thursday, Suwondo's lawyers presented a certificate signed
by medical practitioner Paring Sunarto stating that Suwondo was
sick and should rest starting on Jan. 30.
Denny said that Suwondo had been receiving medical treatment
from Dec. 3, 2000 until Jan. 5 while detained in the Cipinang
penitentiary and was later treated at home while under house
arrest.
"The doctors say that Suwondo is suffering from chronic
gastritis which means problems with his heart and lungs. The
illness is caused by repeated bouts of depression and, doctors
say, he could have a stroke because of it," Denny told
journalists after the hearing.
According to the Webster's Medical Dictionary, gastritis is an
inflammation especially of the mucous membrane of the stomach.
Gastroenterologist from the state-run Cipto Mangunkusumo
Hospital Dharmika Djajaningrat told The Jakarta Post that there
should be a complete medical analysis to investigate the illness.
"Stress can cause stomach diseases, but not directly. Chronic
gastritis is only caused by viruses so there should be an
endoscopic analysis to examine the stomach," he added.
Prosecutor Nulis Sembiring told the court that he had yet to
move Suwondo to the Salemba detention center as ordered by the
judges on Jan. 26 because the defendant still "looked sick to
me".
"The last time I checked on Suwondo two days ago, he was still
sick at home," he added.
Sowondo faces a possible four years in jail if the court finds
him guilty. (bby)