15 Ex-KPK Employees Charged With Receiving Rp6.3 Billion From Detention Extortion

Bribery Illustration (ANTARA)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor has transferred case files and charges of 15 former employees related to allegations of illegal levies (extortion) in detention centers. Dozens of people will soon be tried at the Jakarta Corruption Court.

"The case files and indictments have been submitted to the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court regarding extortion cases in the KPK detention center with the defendant Achmad Fauzi who is the Head of the KPK Detention Center Branch, "said Head of the Prosecution Task Force Titto Jaelani to reporters in a written statement, Friday, July 26.

Titto said there were two indictments that were transferred. In detail, the first volume for the defendants Achmad Fauzi, Deden Rochendi, Hengki, Ristanta, Erlangga Permana, Sopian Hadi, Agung Nugroho, Ari Rahman Hakim.

"Meanwhile, the indictment for the second volume with the defendant Muhammad Ridwan, Mahdi Aris, Suharlan, Ricky Rachmawanto, Wardoyo, Muhammad Abduh, Ramadhan Ubaidillah A," he said.

The amount of money received by the defendants reached Rp6.3 billion. Later in the indictment, the Prosecutor's Team will open up the roles of the detainees who gave some money to the defendants, including Nurhadi, Emirsyah Satar, Dodi Reza Alex Noerdin, Muhammad Azis Syamsudin, Yoory Cornelis, Firjan Taufa, and Sahat Tua Simanjuntak," explained Titto.

Furthermore, Titto has not said when the trial will be held. "It is being processed from the Tipikor Panmud," he said.

Previously reported, there were 15 people who were suspected of extortion in the KPK detention center. They include the Head of the KPK Detention Center Achmad Fauzi, former Acting KPK Karutan Deden Rochendi and Ristanta, and Hengki who are ex-Kamtib Detention Centers.

The suspects are suspected of having managed to raise up to Rp6.3 billion for four years from 2019-2023. The money was obtained from detainees in corruption cases with a variety of between Rp300 thousand and Rp20 million.

The handover is carried out directly or through a holding bank account controlled by the lurah and corting.

Prisoners then get exclusive facilities after giving money to officers. One of them can use a cellphone or power bank.

Meanwhile, those who do not pay or are late in depositing receive uncomfortable treatment. Among them, the detention room is locked from the outside, violations and reductions in sports rations, and gets a guard quota and more hygiene pickets.

The KPK also imposed disciplinary penalties on employees involved. A total of 66 people were fired after receiving a decree.