AGO mulls closing probe into embassy graft case

JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office (AGO) is considering closing its investigation into a graft case in the Indonesian Embassy in Thailand citing insufficient evidence.

"Investigators have suggested stopping *the investigation*," Junior Attorney General for special crimes Marwan Effendy was quoted as saying Friday by news portal tempointeraktif.com.

He added that the suspects have returned the allegedly embezzled money to the AGO.

Previously, the AGO had stopped the probe while waiting on an audit by the Development Finance Comptroller Agency (BPKP) on the case, saying they needed to know whether the alleged corruption was "merely an administrative mistake."

The case is believed to have costthe state Rp 7 billion in losses.

The AGO had named Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Muhammad Hatta, Deputy Chief of Mission Djumantoro Purbo and embassy treasurer Suhaeni as suspects for allegedly misusing funds from the 2008 budget.

In October last year, six AGO investigators visited Thailand to question 17 witnesses, including Djumantoro and Suhaeni, in connection with the case. - JP