TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Judges at the Anti-Corruption Court denied a plea made by former chairman of Democrat Party Anas Urbaningrum against the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) indictment, as reported by Antara News.
"We deny the defendant's plea. With regard to this decision, the defendant has been given time to either accept or appeal to a higher court. Meanwhile, the investigation of corruption case involving the defendant will continue and a trial will be held twice a week considering the many witnesses in this case," Chief of Judge Haswandi announced during a court session on Thursday.
Commenting on the verdict, Anas expressed hope that he will be given a fair trial.
"I want a fair trial and not to be judged. I believe that the judges and prosecutors also expect a fair result from this trial," Anas said.
On February 22, 2012, Anas was named a suspect on charges of violating several articles of the corruption laws by accepting bribes or gifts, which carry a sentence of four to 20 years and a fine of Rp200 million to Rp one billion.
Anas was said to have accepted 7 to 20 percent of fee from Permai Company Group from projects handled by the company using the State Budget (APBN). The fee was in the form of a Toyota Harrier car worth Rp670 million, Toyota Vellfire car worth Rp735 million, a survey activity costing Rp478.6 million, and cash worth Rp116.52 billion as well as US$5.26 million.
Anas was also said to have not revealed his real fortune, which could reach Rp23.88 billion.
ANTARA | HERU
