Lawyer request Antasari be released

JAKARTA: Lawyers for former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Antasari Azhar, now a suspect in a murder case, have asked he be released from custody considering his detention period ended Wednesday.

"It would be better for the investigation process if the police released Antasari. That way, police don't need to rush against the detention deadline and can investigate the case more thoroughly," a lawyer for Antasari, Ari Yusf Amir, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Prosecutors previously accepted a police request for a 40-day extension for Antasari's detention, which ended on May 23, almost three weeks after his initial arrest.

However, according to Article 29 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the detention period for the investigation of special cases such as murder can be extended up to 120 days, meaning police can request a 60-day extension if they wish.

The detective chief of the Jakarta Police, Sr. Comr. M. Iriawan, said Tuesday police were likely to extend Antasari's detention.

However spokesman at the Attorney General's Office (AGO), Jasman Pandjaitan, said he had not been informed of this possible request for an extension. - JP

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