Gayus says his lawyer negotiated case settlement

Former junior tax official Gayus Halomoan Tambunan testified at the corruption trial of National Police investigator Adj. Comr. Sri Sumartini on Tuesday.

In his much-anticipated appearance in court, Gayus told the hearing his attorney Haposan Hutagalung negotiated with police detectives a scenario to help him evade embezzlement and money laundering charges.

During the hearing which was aired live by TVOne, Gayus said Haposan was in touch with Comr. Arafat Enanie from the Directorate of Economic Crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Body.

Sumartini, who worked under Arafat in the investigation into Gayus’ case, is charged with accepting US$7,700 from Gayus.

Prosecutors said Arafat and Sumartini twice questioned Gayus at two different hotels in 2009 upon approval from their superior Sr. Comr. Pambudi Pamungkas. But Pambudi, said in his testimony earlier in the day said he never endorsed a questioning outside the National Police and knew Gayus’ case file.

Gayus was acquitted from all charges by the Tangerang District Court in March, before deposed National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji revealed the case brokering mafia.

The police have named eight suspects in the case, three of them are now standing trial.