TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan plans to file a pretrial motion with the South Jakarta District Court.
Bahrain, one of Novel's legal counselors, said the pretrial motion revolved around Novel's arrest on Friday and his belongings that were confiscated by the police.
KPK interim deputy chief Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo said he was unaware of the plan, and that Novel never spoke with KPK commissioners about it. "But it's Novel's right. He has the right to appeal for a pretrial," said Johan on Monday.
The police arrested Novel for his alleged involvement in the mistreatment of a swallow bird's nest thief in 2004 when he was the head of Bengkulu City Police's detective department.
The first accusation against Novel emerged in 2012, when Novel was investigating a graft case implicating Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo. The case was closed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who said the investigation was ill-timed.
The police were targeting Novel again after the KPK named Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan a graft suspect. Budi's case is currently being handled by the Attorney General's Office (AGO).
MUHAMAD RIZKI
