Travel ban on Soeharto extended

Travel ban on Soeharto extended

JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office has extended the travel
ban against former president Soeharto for another year in order
to facilitate the legal proceedings against him, as he faces
trial on corruption charges.

Spokesman Muljohardjo said on Tuesday that the extension of
the travel ban, which would take effect on April 12, was imposed
to avoid any chance of the defendant escaping trial.

The defendant is banned from traveling overseas in connection
with his alleged role in the corruption cases involving several
foundations, including Dharma Bakti Sosial, Dana Abadi Karya
Bhakti and Supersemar.

Soeharto allegedly diverted some US$571 million of the
foundations' funds to his children, relatives and cronies while
in power. The funds themselves were amassed from the state
through several presidential decrees and regulations.

Soeharto, who will turn 80 this June, is facing mobility
difficulties and suffering from impaired speech; these
disabilities are the result of three strokes he suffered after
resigning in the middle of 1998.

Last year, the South Jakarta District Court dropped the case
because it found that the defendant was too ill to stand trial.
(bby)