Indonesia prosecutors seek 16 years prison for ex-speaker
Indonesian prosecutors Thursday demanded 16 years of imprisonment for former parliament speaker Setya Novanto in one of the graft-riddled country's biggest corruption cases.
The veteran politician has been indicted for allegedly taking bribes and kickbacks amounting to $7.4 million related to the procurement of an electronic ID system for Indonesia's more than 250 million inhabitants.
Novanto, 62, former chairman of a major political party, has also been accused of playing a key role in embezzlement from the $440 million project which led to the loss of $170 million from government coffers.
Lead prosecutor Abdul Basir called for the court to order Novanto to pay $7.4 million in restitution to the state.
Prosecutors also demanded the seizure of Novanto's assets if the man once regarded as one of Indonesia's most influential politicians fails to pay.
Several other politicians, as well as government officials and businessmen have been charged and convicted in relation to the case.
"We respect the prosecutors' demand but we do hope for (the judges') wisdom because my client has been helping investigators," said his lawyer Firman Wijaya.
The trial has been adjourned to April 13 to hear Novanto's defense plea.
Novanto, who has faced corruption allegations in the past but never been convicted, was detained on November 20 last year after a bizarre drama that involved a failed raid on his palatial estate and a shady car crash.
He was arrested in hospital after he claimed to have been injured in the crash.
The country's graft buster has charged Novanto's then lawyer and doctor with obstructing investigation by faking the politician's hospitalization which was believed to be an attempt to dodge arrest.
(Source: AFP)
Malaysia working on resolution to expel Israel from United Nations
Ambassador: Japan studying recognition of State of Palestine
Indonesia urges UNSC to take 'decisive action' against Israeli regime
48-year-old Palestinian man serving 48 life terms completes 22 years in Israeli jails
From MKO to Tondar, how Germany became safe haven for anti-Iran terror groups
Hamas open to any proposal aiming to end Gaza war: Hamdan
Role of private sector in Iran’s thriving space industry
Four Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on West Bank
Iran warns of ‘calculated, precise’ response to Israeli aggression
After year-long genocide, Israeli military hires private firms to flatten buildings in Gaza
Malaysia working on resolution to expel Israel from United Nations
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
