Warden says Gayus had 68 times since July

Graft suspect Gayus Tambunan bribed his way out of his cell 68 times since July, alleged his former warden, Comr. Iwan Siswanto.

Iwan told investigators that Gayus had frequently asked to temporarily leave his cell at the National Police Mobile Brigade detention center in Depok, West Java, since his trial on graft allegations began earlier this year.

Gayus was alleged to have left his cell three times in July, 19 times in both August and September, 23 times in October and at least four times in November.

Iwan alleged he received Rp 368 million (US$40,000) in bribes from Gayus to let the former low-level tax official out of detention while waiting for his trial.

According to an investigation document given to Tempo, Iwan said he gave Gayus no special treatment.

One guard said that Gayus typically left his cell around 3 p.m., but sometimes as late as 8 p.m.

After the detention center’s gates were opened, Gayus was taken by motorcycle to either a gas station or a Bank Mandiri branch near the University of Indonesia.

“He had his own car and a driver waiting there to pick him up”, the guard told investigators.