Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators on Thursday extended the detention period of former energy and mineral resources minister Jero Wacik for another 40 days to prepare for his upcoming trial in two separate extortion cases
orruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators on Thursday extended the detention period of former energy and mineral resources minister Jero Wacik for another 40 days to prepare for his upcoming trial in two separate extortion cases.
'There was no questioning today because Pak Jero was summoned only to sign the detention warrant,' Jero's lawyer Sugiyono told reporters at the KPK headquarters on Thursday.
The KPK charged Jero with corruption in September 2014 for allegedly instructing his subordinates to collect cash amounting to around Rp 10 billion (US$765,700) from procurement-project kickbacks, ministry budget mark-ups and bogus programs between 2011 and 2013 when serving as energy minister.
In addition, in February this year, the KPK also charged Jero, who was a senior member of the Democratic Party, for allegedly committing the same offenses during his tenure as culture and tourism minister, when he allegedly collected a total of Rp 7 billion between 2008 and 2011.
Dressed in the mandatory KPK orange graft suspect vest, Jero arrived at the KPK headquarters at 11 a.m. and came out an hour later.
He made no comment about the extension of his detention.
Jero was forced to give up his House of Representatives seat in October after the KPK warned the General Elections Commission (KPU) that going ahead with his inauguration as a House lawmaker would hurt the country's fight against corruption.
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