Bandung graft trial acquits Bekasi mayor of all charges

A hearing at Bandung Corruption Court on Tuesday acquitted Bekasi Mayor Mochtar Muhammad from all charges.

The panel of judges said prosecutors had failed to convince them that the mayor was involved in any of the four graft charges.

“The panel orders prosecutors to rehabilitate the defendant’s name and status as a public official,” presiding judge Azharyadi told the court as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

This is the third time the same court has acquitted graft defendants. Previously, Subang regent Eep Hidayat and Bogor deputy mayor Ahmad Ru’yat were aquitted.

Commenting on this, prosecutor I Ketut Sumedana said the fight wasn’t over, as prosecutors plan to file an appeal.

Mochtar Muhammad was accused of paying bribes to three parties: the members of regional audit commission, the regional council for approving additional budget and to the Adipura award committee for picking Bekasi as one of the cleanest cities.

Mochtar was also accused of using the administration's money for his personal needs.