Corruption Court to decide whether to proceed with KPPU bribery trial

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 02/26/2009 9:34 AM  |  National

The Corruption Court was scheduled on Thursday morning to announce its decision on whether to proceed with the trial of  Muhammad Iqbal, a member of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU), who has been accused of receiving a bribe in exchange for ruling favorably in a broadcasting rights dispute.

In a previous trial session, Iqbal filed his objection to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) indictment, saying he was a mere victim of an "evil conspiracy" against the KPPU.

Iqbal said the KPK prosecutors' allegation was baseless and wrong.

Iqbal has been accused of receiving a bribe for Rp 500 million (US$42,000) from former Lippo Group top brass Billy Sindoro. The bribe was allegedly paid for Iqbal's ruling in favor of Direct Vision (a subsidiary of Lippo Group) in a KPPU ruling regarding broadcasting rights for an English Premier League soccer tournament on Aug. 29, 2008.

In a separate trial, the Corruption Court had handed down a three-year prison sentence to Billy and fines of Rp 200 million or an additional three months in jail should he fail to pay.

Both Iqbal and Billy were named suspects after the KPK caught them red-handed exchanging a black bag full of cash at a hotel in Central Jakarta on Sept. 16, 2008. Both denied ownership of the bag. (dre) 

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