Previously, the police have accused Susno of taking bribes when investigators looked at a fraud case in a decorative fish farming business in Riau in late 2009 when he was police chief detective.

Susno has been in trouble since he uncovered an alleged Rp 24 billion corruption case involving former tax official Gayus Tambunan, implicating senior National Police officers, state attorneys, lawyers and businesspeople. Susno is being held at a police detention center on the southern outskirts of Jakarta,

Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Marwan Effendy said police had already named Susno a suspect and questioning was already underway.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Edward Aritonang confirmed the report but when asked if Susno was named a suspect, he said, “Let me find out.”

The alleged graft related to Susno’s tenure as West Java police chief.

A Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) document states West Java Police received Rp 27.73 billion (US$2.89 million) from the local administration to arrange the security for the gubernatorial election.

The document said that only half of the sum was disbursed for the security operation and the other half was unaccounted for.

Responding to the new police allegations, Susno said police should also investigate the alleged mismanagement of the security arrangements of the 2009 general elections.

“I suggest that the police chief detective also investigate it if he really wants to clean up this institution. Don’t sweep it with a dirty broom,” Susno said on his website www.susnoduadji.com.

Susno’s lawyer Ari Yusuf Amir said the police were finding fault with Susno so as to avoid unravel-ing more scandals, as Susno had promised.

Susno claims the security fund for the security of West Java’s 2008 gubernatorial election has been audited by BPK and that no irregularities were found.

According to the BPK’s official audit on the management of the National Police 2008 budget obtained by The Jakarta Post, the West Java police failed to present satisfactory reports on the use of the funds in question.

In a response to the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) decision to help Susno, Edward said the police would study the decision first before giving any comments.

“However, speaking about security, Pak Susno is now in the safest place, unless somebody drops a bomb from the sky,” he said.

Susno has been held for two weeks in the National Police detention center in the Mobile Brigade headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java.

The LPSK announced Monday that it had approved Susno’s protection request but it was still waiting for Susno’s confirmation if he agreed with the terms and conditions.

Susno has filed a pre-trial motion with the South Jakarta district court against his arrest and detention, which he says is illegal.

Sr. Comr. Ihza Fadri, National Police spokesman at the Tuesday hearing, said Susno’s arrest was legal and not  intended to humiliate him.

Ihza insisted that the arrest and the detention had been effected in line with police procedures and the Criminal Code.

“The arrest was made after investigators had convincing evidence, namely testimony given by witnesses and experts and also a police report regarding indications of Susno’s involvement in the graft case,” Ihza said.

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