KPK Questions Doctor Accused of Hampering Graft Probe Into Ex-House Speaker
Jakarta. Antigraft investigators on Thursday (25/01) questioned a doctor accused of attempting to hamper a corruption investigation into former House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto.
Late last year, amid the investigation, Setya, who is now on trial, was involved in a car accident and admitted to a hospital in Jakarta, where the doctor, Bimanesh Sutarjo, was serving.
Bimanesh was charged with obstruction of justice and put in custody earlier this month, along with Setya's former lawyer, Fredrich Yunadi.
The two have since faced several questioning sessions, and several witnesses, including Bimanesh's fellow Medika Permata Hijau doctors, have testified against them in recent weeks.
Bimanesh, came out of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters wearing the trademark orange detainee vest. He declined to comment on Thursday's questioning.
KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah later confirmed Bimanesh was questioned as suspect in the case.
"We're still digging deeper into several pieces of evidence we have collected with regard to the obstruction of justice allegations," Febri told reporters.
KPK investigators failed to find Setya when attempting to arrest him at his home in Jakarta a day before the car crash.
Setya, having been declared a graft fugitive, was eventually put in custody after being admitted to Medika Permata Hijau.
Investigators have found that his former lawyer, Fredrich, allegedly made a phone call to the hospital to book a VIP room before the accident took place.
Fredrich had also allegedly colluded with Bimanesh to manipulate Setya's medical records.
Fredrich and Bimanesh could face up to 12 years in jail, if convicted.
Tags: Keywords: