Hasto Asked The Expert Witness To The KPK To Defend Himself In The Bribery And Opportunities Case Of Investigation

Chairman of the PDIP DPP for Legal Reform as well as Hasto's lawyer, Ronny B. Talapessy (DOK Tasya/VOI)

The Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) Hasto Kristiyanto has submitted an expert witness to be examined by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Their information is expected to be able to defend him who was caught in the bribery case for the interim replacement management (PAW) of members of the DPR and the obstruction to the investigation into the alleged bribery of former PDIP candidate Harun Masiku.

"Today we came to the KPK to submit an application to present witnesses ad charge and what we convey today is an expert for Mas Hasto Kristiyanto," said Chairman of the PDIP DPP for Legal Reform as well as Hasto's lawyer, Ronny B. Talapessy to reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, March 4.

Ronny said that Hasto had the right to file witnesses or mitigating experts in his case. This is based on Article 65 in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).

The expert witnesses proposed were Aditya Wiguna Sanjaya as a Criminal Law Expert and Criminal Procedure Law at the Faculty of Law, State University of Surabaya; Benyaarmoni Hanefa who is a Criminal Law Expert and Criminal Procedure Law at the Faculty of Law, National Development University (UPN) Veterans Jakarta; and Idul Rishan who is a Constitutional Law Expert at the Faculty of Law, Islamic University of Indonesia.

"The anti-corruption commission is expected to examine the three experts," said Ronny. "The KPK must of course be able to obey and respect the Criminal Procedure Code that the suspect has the right to be able to file an ad-charge witness or an expert," he said.

Previously reported, the KPK developed an interim replacement bribery (PAW) case that ensnared former KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan and his fugitive, Harun Masiku. Two people were later named as suspects, namely PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto and Donny Tri Istiqomah who are PDIP cadres as well as lawyers.

Hasto is also a suspect in the obstruction of the investigation. He is suspected of trying to obstruct the legal process, one of which is by asking Harun to damage his cellphone and run away after the arrest operation (OTT) was carried out.

Now, Hasto has been detained for the first 20 days at the KPK detention center since last Thursday, February 20. This forced effort can be extended according to the needs of investigators.

Meanwhile, Donny Tri Istiqomah has not been arrested. However, investigators have examined him on February 3.