Evidence Piles Up Against Setya Novanto's Lawyer Accused of Hampering Graft Probe
Jakarta. Investigators are pressing ahead with a probe over the involvement of lawyer Fredrich Yunadi in hampering a graft investigation against former House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto.
The former lawyer of Setya was questioned on Monday (22/01), after two doctors and Setya's wife, Deisti Astriani Tagor, testified against him on the same day.
The doctors, Hafil Budianto and Glen Dunda, serve at the Medika Permata Hijau hospital, where Setya was admitted late last year, after a car accident, which occurred when he reportedly tried to evade arrest by antigraft investigators.
Fredrich was named a suspect in the case and was put in custody earlier this month, along with another Medika Permata doctor, Bimanesh Sutarjo, who reportedly conspired with him.
Hafil, who serves as president director of the hospital, declined to comment when reporters asked him about the questioning.
Investigators are digging deeper into the car crash and Setya's admission to the hospital, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Febri Diansyah said.
"It's related to, among others, how the hospital room was booked, who attended the hospital before and after the accident, how he was being treated," Febri told reporters at his office.
Setya, who is currently standing trial, was nowhere to be found when investigators attempted to arrest him at his home in Jakarta, a day before the car crash.
His wife, who declined to speak to reporters about Monday's questioning, was inside the house with Setya's then-lawyer Fredrich.
"We wanted to know what Deisti knew about Setya's whereabouts at that time," Febri said.
Setya, having been declared a graft fugitive, was eventually put in custody after being admitted to Medika Permata Hijau.
According to investigators, Fredrich made a phone call to the hospital to book a VIP room before the car crash took place and conspired with Bimanesh to manipulate Setya's medical records.
The two can face up to 12 years in jail, if convicted of obstructing justice.
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