Graft defendants released from jail

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 10/20/2006 10:32 AM

PADANG, West Sumatra: The Padang District Court on Tuesday ordered the release of nine defendants in two separate graft cases from Muara Penitentiary.

The defendants, who have been behind bars since May this year, were released and placed under city detention.

Four of the defendants have been charged in connection with a Rp 1.1 billion graft case involving the purchase of schoolbooks. The other five are defendants in a Rp 600 million case involving oil palm seedlings.

The presiding judge in the schoolbook case, Busra, said the defendants were released from prison and placed under city detention after their families guaranteed they would not flee. He also said the court considered the health of the defendants and the fact that some were still needed at their offices.

""Everything has been considered, and this has nothing to do with Idul Fitri,"" Busra said.

The decision was criticized by an official at the West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office, Ferlandbang Sitorus, who said the court was wrong in releasing the nine. -- JP

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