Papua Police probe money laundering in Labora case

Papua Police detective chief Sr. Comr. Setyo Budianto said the police had questioned two members of staff from financial services providers in Sorong, West Papua on Thursday in relation to a bank account containing to Rp 1.5 trillion belonging to Adj. First Insp. Labora Sitorus.

The police were pursuing indications of money laundering from Labora, who had been detained on illegal logging and fuel smuggling charges. The police have questioned 62 witnesses in the case.

Labora was placed in the spotlight after the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) filed a report regarding suspicious bank accounts that did not fit his profile in the National Police.

Commenting on the police investigation, Labora'€™s lawyer Petrus Ohoitimur insisted that his client had no knowledge of the police charges.

'€œBesides, Labora'€™s name is not registered in the companies that have been accused of illegal logging and money laundering by the authorities,'€ he told The Jakarta Post.

The police found two companies that were allegedly implicated in the cases, a mining and fuel company PT Seno Adi Wijaya and timber company PT Rotua. The companies are run by Labora'€™s wife, children and brother in law.

Labora could face multiple charges and later on could be sent to prison for more than 10 years if proven guilty in court. (nai/dic)