REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors have explained in details the manipulation done by Setya Novanto's ex lawyer, Fredrich Yunadi, to avoid his client from being questioned by the investigators in a high profile e-ID card procurement graft case. For his role, prosecutors have indicted Fredrich along with doctor Bimanesh Sutarjo for obstructing investigation against Novanto as suspect from "political cluster". 

Fredrich offered legal assistance to Novanto who has been named as suspect in e-ID card graft case for the second time since November 10, 2017. He then advised his client not to meet KPK investigators summons. "To avoid the summons, Fredrich promised to propose judicial review to Constitutional Court and Novanto finally agree to appoint him as attorney started from November 13, 2017," prosecutor Fitroh Rohcahyanto read out the indictment at Corruption Court, Jakarta, on Thursday (Feb 8).

The next day, Fredrich on behalf of Novanto's attorney sent notification letter to the director of KPK investigator informing that his client could not attend the summons until Constitutional Court reached its verdict.

On November 15, 2017, Novanto missed another summons to be questioned as suspect. At around 10:00 pm, KPK investigators tried to arrest and search his house at Wijaya XIII Street number 19, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Novanto was no where to be found.

KPK investigators visit Setya Novanto's residence at Wijaya Street, South Jakarta, on November 15, 2017.

Fredrich met the investigators and asked for search warrant and arrest warrant. After being shown the warrant, Fredrich could not show his client and he asked Deisty Astriani (Novanto's wife) to sign power of attorney that was immediately made by his own handwriting, on behalf of Novanto's family," Fitroh said.

Nevertheless, Fredrich admitted that he did not know Novanto's whereabout. In fact, he has met Novanto earlier at the House of Representatives building. Novanto along with Golkar party politician Azis Samual and Reza Pahlevi (his aides) have left the house when KPK investigators arrived. They were heading to Bogor and stayed at Sentul Hotel while monitoring the situation through TV. The next day, Novanto returned to the Parliament building in Jakarta.

General secretary of Golkar Party Idrus Marham and advocate Fredrich Yunadi meet with House speaker Setya Novanto at Parliament building on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. They discuss e-ID card graft case that made Novanto suspect. 

On November 16, 2017, at around 11:00 am, Fredrich contacted his acquaintance, doctor Bimanesh Sutarjo. He asked Bimanesh to enable Novanto to be admitted to Medika Permata Hijau hospital with the diagnosis if several diseases, among others hypertension.

To confirm the request, Fredrich came to Bimanesh residence at Apartment Botanica Tower 3/3A, Teuku Nyak Arief Street number 8, Simprug, South Jakarta at around 02:00 pm. He tried to ensure that Novanto could be admitted to Medika Permata Hijau hospital.

"The defendant also handed over photograph of Novanto's medical record from Premier Jatinegara hospital. He took the photo a couple days earlier without referral letter from Premier Jatinegara doctors for inpatient treatment of Novanto to other hospital," prosecutor Kresno Anto Wibowo added.

At around 18:45 pm, Novanto arrived at Medika Permata Hijau hospital and was immediately directed to enter VIP room 323 in accordance to inpatient care letter prepared by Bimanesh.

After that, Fredrich made a statement to the journalists at Medika Permata Hijau hospital as if he was not aware of the car accident experienced by his client. "The defendant told the press that Novanto badly injured with bleeding in some parts of his body and there was a "bakpao" sized bump in his forehead, whereas Novanto only suffered minor injuries at his forehead, left temple, left neck and left arm," the prosecutor said.

Doctor Bimanesh Sutarjo explains Setya Novanto's condition at the Medika Permata Hijau hospital, Jakarta, on Friday, November 17, 2017. 

At around 09:00 pm, KPK investigators visited Medika Permata Hijau hospital and checked Novanto's condition. They found out that Novanto was not seriously injured. However, Fredrich conveyed that Novanto was in an intensive care from doctor Bimanesh and could not be questioned.

On November 17, 2017, KPK investigators were about to arrest the suspect after the doctors of Medika Permata Hijau hospital checked Novanto's condition. However, Fredrich refused the arrest and said it was unlawful because his client was still hospitalized.

In fact, after Novanto was referred to Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital (RSCM) and examined by team of doctors from Indonesian Medical Association, the results showed that Novanto was fit to be questioned.

On November 19, 2017, Novanto was released from RSCM and then questioned at KPK office as suspect. He was immediately detained at KPK detention center.

Fredrich was alleged to violate Article 21 Law No. 31/1999 as amended by Law No. 20/2001 on Eradication Corruption, also in Article 55 paragraph (1) criminal code (KUHP) with at least three years of imprisonment and a maximum of 12 years and or a fine of at least Rp150 million and a maximum of Rp 600 million.  

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