Witnesses in Tommy's case

JAKARTA: The City Police released on Friday Tatang Somantri and Rahmat Hidayat -- two witnesses in Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra's case who were arrested for lying before the court after receiving Rp 2 million (US$215) bribes each from Tommy's lawyer, Elza Syarief.

Elza, however, is still under detention as the police have not finished questioning her.

The police granted the request of Tatang and Rahmat to suspend the detention as their lawyer Farhat Abbas, guaranteed that his clients would not escape nor tamper with any evidence. He also ensured the police that both witnesses would fulfill the police's summons in the future, according to City Police detectives chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Anton Wahono.

Tatang and Rahmat, who had worked as security guards at the Soeharto family-owned Cemara Apartment, left their cells at 3:10 p.m. and quickly kissed the soil in a symbolic gesture of their love for freedom.

The police told reporters that the investigation on both witnesses was complete. But they could be summoned if the police need them. -- JP