REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named lawyer Fredrich Yunadi (FY) and internist at Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, Bimanesh Sutarjo (BST) as suspect in the case of obstruction of justice. The two suspects allegedly have intentionally obstructed the investigation of e-ID card graft case that ensnared Setya Novanto.
"Fredrich and Bimanesh conspired to manipulate Novanto's medical record. By doing so, they expected Novanto will be able to miss KPK's summon and examination," vice chairman of KPK, Basaria Panjaitan said at KPK office, Jakarta, on Wednesday (January 10).
Basaria explained, FY and BST made an arrangement that enable Novanto to be hospitalized at Medika Permata Hijau Hospital, South Jakarta. It was an escape plan for Novanto whose on November 15, 2017 noon supposedly to meet KPK summon.
Novanto missed the summon and sent a letter of notification to KPK. Later at 21.40 Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB), KPK investigators came to Novanto's house at Wijaya XIII Street, Melawai, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta with a warrant for arrest and search. The warrant was issued as Novanto frequently failed to meet the KPK's summonses in a graft case concerning the electronic identity card project worth over Rp5 trillion
"Novanto did not show up until the search is done at 02.50 WIB early on November 16. Therefore, KPK persuades Novanto to surrender," Basaria said.
KPK, on November 16, 2017, asked National Police chief to put Novanto's name on wanted list. KPK also sent a copy of the request to NCB Interpol. "In the evening, there is an information saying the car that Novanto riding-in had an accident. The car hit electricity pole and he was rushed to Medika Permata Hijau Hospital," Basaria explained.
According to Basaria, although Novanto had an accident, he did not rushed to Emergency Room. The doctor took him directly to VIP inpatient room. "Before Novanto's hospitalization, it was suspected that Fredrich Yunadi had come there to made the arrangement with the hospital," Basaria remarked.
KPK also received information that one of the doctor at Medika Permata Hijau Hospital got a phone call from a person allegedly as Novanto's lawyer mentioning Novanto will be treated at the hospital at around 21:00 pm.
"Asking for a VIP inpatient room, booking the whole one floor. Nevertheless, it was not known yet with what kind of treatment Novanto needed," Basaria said.
KPK investigators also faced difficulty when checking the information of Novanto's accident that lead to hospitalization of the former House of Representative speaker.
Early on November 17, 2017, Fredrich said, the doctor has stated that his client was indicated to have a brain concussion due to severe head injury following the accident.
Fredrich and Bimanesh are suspected of violating Article 21 of Law Number 31 Year 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 Year 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption in Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.
The Article stipulates that a person intentionally preventing, intercepting or foiling directly or indirectly the investigation, prosecution and examination in the defendant's hearing in the case of corruption shall be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years and a fine of not more than Rp 600 million.
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