Former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum was charged at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday for accepting bribes, in the form of two cars and billions of rupiah, concerning the construction of the Hambalang sports complex.

"The defendant [Anas] knew that the construction of the Hambalang project by the Youth and Sports Ministry, as well as education ministry projects and others, including those undertaken by the Permai Group, which were financed with state funds, was outside his authority and purview," prosecutor Yudi Christiana said, reading the indictment at Anas' trial hearing, as reported by kompas.com.

Anas has been detained since January after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him a graft suspect in relation to the Hambalang case. The commission later named the politician a suspect for money laundering after investigating his assets.

According to the indictment, the bribes that Anas received included a Toyota Harrier worth Rp 670 million (US$57,620) and a Toyota Vellfire worth Rp 735 million. Furthermore, Anas also allegedly accepted Rp 478 million to pay for his chairmanship bid with the Democratic Party in 2010.

He also stands accused of accepting Rp 116.5 billion ($997,600) and $5.2 billion during his time as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.

The indictment also referred to Anas' desire to become president when he left the General Elections Commission (KPU) in 2005 and established the Permai Group with graft convict Muhammad Nazaruddin.

"As the chairman of the political department's executive board, the defendant had a lot of influence over government projects that used state funds. The defendant's influence increased after he ran for [a seat in] the House of Representatives and then was appointed chairman of the Democratic Party faction at the House," Yudi said.

In a court hearing on May 14, Nazaruddin, who is also a former Democratic Party treasurer, said the Rp 2.5 trillion Hambalang project was one of several multi-trillion rupiah state projects rigged by Anas. (fss)

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