KPK locks up Akil’s confidant

JAKARTA. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained on Monday businessman Muhtar Efendi, who is believed to be one of the middlemen collecting bribe money from regional heads for former Constitutional Court chief justice Akil Mochtar, who was recently sentenced to life in prison for graft and money laundering.

The arrest of Muhtar came after a six-hour interrogation on Monday, just three days after the KPK named him a perjury suspect for allegedly giving false testimony during Akil’s trial in March.

After the questioning, Muhtar was escorted to the Selamba Detention Center in Central Jakarta. Muhtar described his arrest as “slanderous” and refused to answer any questions from reporters at the KPK headquarters.

Muhtar is likely to face corruption charges in addition to the perjury charges after Akil’s indictment exposed his role as a middleman delivering bribes to Akil.