Three Prosecutors in NTB Extort Suspect Subdistrict Head for Assault, Claiming It Would Lighten Sentence
The High Prosecutor’s Office of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) has stated that it has found evidence of money handover in a case involving the extortion by three rogue prosecutors against Imran, the Subdistrict Head of Pajo in Dompu Regency, while he was a suspect in an assault case.
Assistant for Supervision at the NTB High Prosecutor’s Office, I Wayan Eka Widdyara, in Mataram on Tuesday, explained that this evidence of money handover now forms the basis for elevating the handling of the case to the inspection stage.
“Yes, there is (evidence of money handover). If there were no evidence, I wouldn’t dare to escalate it to a case inspection,” he said.
Although he did not detail the form of the evidence, he assured that it has been corroborated by the confession of the Subdistrict Head of Pajo.
“So, indeed, this case initially involved a giver. The person who reported it became a witness, the giver admitted (to the handover of money), and during the examination (case inspection), they also confessed,” he stated.
Furthermore, Wayan Eka said that the series of case inspections is currently in the process of strengthening evidence. He noted that the case inspection is limited to investigating disciplinary and ethical violations by prosecutors.
“If it’s criminal, we don’t handle it, because it’s only about the code of ethics,” he remarked.
He also explained that his office cannot impose sanctions if the case inspection reveals that the three rogue prosecutors have indeed violated discipline and ethics.
“So, we only present it, and then the leadership in Jakarta (the Attorney General’s Office of Indonesia) will conclude. Whether punishment is given and what the follow-up is, that’s up to the centre,” said Wayan Eka.
The alleged extortion by the three rogue prosecutors emerged during the execution of Imran’s detention following a final court decision. At that time, Imran claimed he was asked for tens of millions of rupiah by the three rogue prosecutors who were then assigned to the Dompu District Prosecutor’s Office.
The Subdistrict Head of Pajo claimed he was asked for Rp30 million, with the excuse that the money could lighten his sentence. However, he only gave Rp20 million at that time. The money was handed over directly at the Dompu District Prosecutor’s Office.
Imran said he had pursued a peaceful resolution with the victim, so he thought the matter was settled. However, the legal process continued, leading to his detention. He felt deceived and extorted by the rogue law enforcement officers.