Akil to face trial today

JAKARTA. The Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court (Tipikor) is scheduled to start the trial of former Constitutional Court chairman Akil Mochtar on Thursday with the reading of his indictment for his alleged involvement in accepting bribes and money laundering.

“There haven’t been any special preparations prior to today’s hearing,” Akil’s lawyer Tamsil Sjoeker said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Akil stands accused of accepting bribes denominated in both Singaporean and US dollars, amounting to nearly Rp 3 billion, from Golkar lawmaker Chairun Nisa and a businessman named Cornelis.

Akil was arrested at his official residence at the Widya Chandra housing complex in Jakarta on Oct. 2 last year.

“Clearly Akil did not feel that he received the money, the trial must prove who gave and received the money itself,” Tamsil added.

 Akil will be tried under Law No. 20/2001 on corruption in lieu of Article 12c or Article 6 subsection 2 of Law No. 31/1999 on bribery with a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of Rp 1 billion (US$84,904).

With regard to money laundering, the law carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of Rp 10 billion.