Witnesses in Tommy's case detained

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police detained on Monday two former security guards, identified as Tatang and Laimin, for allegedly receiving bribes from Elza Syarief, lawyer of defendant Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

"Yes, they have been officially detained today for allegedly receiving bribes," said police spokesman, Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam.

Tatang and Laimin were accompanied by lawyer Nudirman Munir to answer the police summons.

The police said Tatang, Laimin and another former security guard Rahmat Hidayat, had each received Rp 2 million (US$213) from Elza to revoke their testimonies in the police dossiers.

Tatang, Laimin and Rahmat were former security guards at Apartment Cemara which was owned by Tommy's family.

Tommy, the youngest son of president Soeharto, has been charged with illegal possession of firearms found in the apartment and in Pondok Indah, for the murder of Supreme Court Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita and for fleeing from justice. -- JP