Court delays sentencing ill Billy

Eny Wulandari ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 02/17/2009 11:49 AM  |  National

Due to the defendant’s illness, the Corruption Court has decided to postpone handing down its verdict of businessman Billy Sindoro, charged with bribing a member of the Business Supervisory Commission (KPPU) in a broadcasting rights dispute.

Prosecutor Malino Pranduk of the Corruption Eradication Commission told a hearing session Tuesday that they had received a letter from a doctor stating that Billy was suffering from headache, dizziness and trembling over the past three days.

“The doctor also said that the defendant is weak and has digestive difficulties, “ he told the court.
 
He said that the doctor asked for the court’s permission to let Billy take a rest Tuesday. “We'll check Billy's condition today at West Jakarta Police Health Clinic, where Billy is receiving medical treatment,” Malino said.

Presiding judge Moefri said that the court, with respect to the medical advice, would resume its session tomorrow.

Billy's lawyer, Otto Hasibuan, denied speculation that his client's illness was faked and aimed at delaying the sentence.

“If he wants to delay it, why would he asks for permission for one day only?” he told journalists.

Prosecutors have called for Billy to be sentenced to four years in jail and pay Rp 250 million (US$226,500) in fines. Billy, formerly one of Lippo Group's top brass, is accused of giving Rp 500 million to KPPU commissioner Muhammad Iqbal to rule in favor of Direct Vision, a subsidiary of Lippo Group, in a KPPU case regarding broadcasting rights for the English Premier League (EPL) soccer tournament on Aug. 29, 2008. (dre)

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