Ex-Air Force Chief Fails to Show Up for Questioning in Chopper Graft Case
Jakarta. Former Air Force chief Marshall Agus Supriatna failed to attend questioning by the national antigraft agency on Friday (15/12) as a witness in a case related to the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter.
Agus would have testified against military equipment supplier Diratama Jaya Mandiri president director Irfan Kurnia Saleh, who has been named as a suspect in the case that had resulted in $16 million state losses.
The AW101 helicopter is worth $55 million.
It was the second time Agus failed to answer a summons to appear before the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a witness in the case.
Agus's lawyer said his client went to Saudi Arabia for the umrah pilgrimage.
"He hasn't objected to the summons," lawyer Pahrozi told reporters at KPK headquarters, vowing that Agus would attend questioning once he returns to Indonesia.
He added that Agus is expected to be back later this month. He said he does not know when his client departed for Saudi Arabia.
KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said immigration data shows Agus has been in Indonesia since Dec. 8. and that KPK will coordinate with the military police.
"We believe in the military commander's commitment to uncovering this corruption case," he said, adding that it has also been a concern for President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, as the helicopter was originally meant for presidential use.
Four other Air Force officials are suspects in the case, including Air Force Academy deputy governor Air Commodore Fachri Adamy.
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