Alleged hit men failed to testify at Antasari’s trial

Five men charged with murdering businessman Nasruddin Zulkarnaen failed to testify Thursday in the trial of prime suspect and former antigraft leader Antasari Azhar.

Lead prosecutor Cirus Sinaga said the five were currently being tried at the Tangerang District Court.

"We hope to be able bring them here next Tuesday," he said at the hearing at the South Jakarta District Court.

The five alleged hit men are Hendrikus Kia Walens, Fransiskus Tadon Kerans, Daniel Daen, Heri Santosa and Eduardus Ndopo Mbete.

Antasari, the former chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), is charged with masterminding the murder of Nasruddin, a director at state pharmaceutical company PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, who was killed in a drive-by shooting on March 14 this year.

Prosecutors allege Antasari had been having an affair with Nasruddin’s third wife, golf caddie Rhani Juliani, over which Nasruddin had reportedly blackmailed Antasari.