The Jakarta Corruption Court issued on Tuesday an interlocutory decision that the trial of Irman Gusman, former speaker of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) who has been charged with bribery, would proceed.

“The court rejects the objections made by the lawyers of the defendant,” said presiding judge Nawawi Pamulango during the hearing, rejecting the defense argument of Irman's lawyers, who demanded the judges cancel the trial.

(Read also: KPK names DPD speaker Irman a suspect in bribery case)

In a previous hearing, Irman’s lawyers claimed that a procedural error had occurred during the investigation, such as ignoring Irman's right to present witnesses and legal experts to give statements in his defense to investigators when he was a suspect.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Irman on Sept. 16 in a sting operation for allegedly accepting Rp 100 million (US$7,412) from CV Semesta Berjaya director Xaveriandy Sutanto and his wife Memi, who have also been charged with corruption.

Irman has been charged with misusing his power as a DPD speaker to influence the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in determining sugar import quotas in West Sumatra. (fac/jun)

Source:
courtesy of THE JAKARTA POST

by The Jakarta Post

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