Ex-governor released on parole

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 11/18/2009 10:14 AM  |  National

Former Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh, who was convicted in a graft case in 2005, was released on parole from Sukamiskin prison in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday.

The government had delayed his release on parole pending his payment of Rp 500 million (US$53,500) in fines imposed on him following his conviction.

Dany Kusuma Praja, head of West Java's Justice and Human Rights Agency, said that Puteh had paid the fine on Tuesday and therefore the government had decided to release him on Wednesday.

Puteh has served less than a half of his 10-year jail term.

Puteh was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2005 for his role in a mark-up of helicopter procurement, making him the first active governor to be convicted of graft. The Supreme Court upheld the jail sentence later that year.

Puteh has stayed in an assimilation house just behind the prison over the last six months.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.