Attorney General Hendarman Supandji came close to breaking down at news one of his prosecutors handling corruption cases was charged by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) with allegedly accepting bribes.

In emotional tones, Hendarman said he had never imagined any government prosecutors would be involved in bribery.

Hendarman was trying to hold back tears as he told the press of his shock and regret.

"I feel like I have been betrayed by my own subordinate. What he did really hurt our institution," he said, his voice shaking.

Prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan was arrested by the KPK on Sunday for allegedly accepting US$600,000 cash from Artalita Suryani.

Hendarman said his 35 prosecutors handling the Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) graft scandal had good track records.

"There's no forgiveness ... for anyone involved (in this case)," he said.

According to Hendarman, Urip violated his authority as a prosecutor by benefiting from the decision by the Attorney General's Office to close the investigation of the BLBI graft case.

"I reported this case to President SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) this morning," he said.

Yudhoyono appointed Hendarman as attorney general because of his good reputation in handling graft cases. In May 2005, Hendarman led the special anti-graft team that uncovered a case involving former Bank Mandiri president director ECW Neloe.

Hendarman's team also uncovered corruption in the management of the haj pilgrimage during 2001-2005, involving former religious affairs minister Said Agil Husein al-Munawar.

Although Urip claimed the money he received was payment for gemstones, Hendarman insisted that a prosecutor is not allowed to run a business.

"Running a business is against the code of ethics of prosecutors," he said. (dia)

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