Warden victim of bad system: Lawyers

JAKARTA (JP): Defense lawyers representing a prison guard charged with accepting a bribe from escaped businessman Eddy Tansil told the East Jakarta District Court yesterday the defendant was a victim of a bad prison system.

The defendant, Dulhadi, 44, alias Dudung, is charged with taking a Rp 2 million (US$835) bribe from Eddy Tansil, a businessman who was serving a 20-year jail term for swindling Rp 1.3 trillion (US$620 million) from the state-owned Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) in May.

Dudung got the money while escorting Tansil out of the jail. Tansil escaped during the escort.

Lawyer Suhana Natawilwana, one of five defense lawyers, said Dudung was a victim of a prison system which lacked discipline, control, treated prisoners discriminately and paid prison guards poorly.

"Four times between January and April this year Tansil enjoyed the freedom to leave jail for a medical check up with a recommendation from the prison doctor who never checked whether the prisoner really had a medical problem," he said.

"What made it so easy for Tansil to go in and out of prison?" Suhana asked.

He said Dudung was willing to accompany Tansil out because he had already been permitted to leave several times before.

Suhana said Dudung was part of a defective system so it was unjust for him alone to be blamed for Tansil's escape.

Dudung has said Tansil gave him a Rp 2 million (US$835) bribe which he distributed among eight subordinates, giving them Rp 100,000 each and keeping Rp 200,000 himself. He said he gave Rp 1 million to Tommy Arifin Hutapea, a fellow commandant at the prison.

The defense said only five of the 12 prison officers questioned were charged even though seven officers took money.

Dudung, who read his own statement, called on Tansil to give himself up.

"Through this court I appeal to you, Eddy Tansil, please come back to prison because you have caused us a lot of trouble."

Tansil is believed to have fled the country.

One of Dudung's subordinates has been jailed for two years and three others for eight months for their role in Tansil's escape.

The case will continue Monday. (05)