KPK Adds Graft Charges for Suspended Chief Justice

Jakarta (Antara) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has added an additional charge of graft to the charges pending against Akil Mochtar, the suspended chief justice who KPK recently named as a suspect in a bribery case. "KPK investigators have issued a new investigation order in connection with a gratuity received by AM and linked to the handling of a case in the Constitutional Court," KPK spokesman Johan Budi said here on Wednesday. He added that the additional charge concerns a new case, apart from the investigation regarding disputes over results of elections of Gunung Mas and Lebak district heads in which KPK has named Akil Mochtar as a suspect. "After conducting a further investigation, KPK discovered other alleged crimes linked to a gratuity. So there is additional graft, besides those linked to the Gunung Mas and Lebak cases," he said. Johan did not provide additional information about the new case involving Akil. If found guilty of the new charge, Akil Mochtar could receive a sentence of between four and 20 years in jail and a fine of up to Rp1 billion. Akil Mochtar has been named a suspect, along with Golkar Party lawmaker Chairun Nisa, Gunung Mas district head Hambit Bintih and businessman Cornelis Nalau. Evidence confiscated by officials includes Rp3 billion in cash. In connection with the Lebak case, Akil has been named as a suspect, along with lawyer Susi Tur Handayani and Tubagus Chaery Wardhana, who is the younger brother of Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah and husband of the Tangerang Selatan city mayor. KPK confiscated Rp1 billion from Susi as evidence in connection with the case, according to officials. (*)