Indonesia anti-graft chief goes on trial in murder case

Oct 8, 2009, 5:56 GMT

   Jakarta - The chairman of Indonesia's powerful anti-corruption commission went on trial Thursday for allegedly commissioning the murder of a businessman in a politically-charged case.

   Antasari Azhar, who has been suspended as the chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission pending the outcome of his case, could face the death penalty if found guilty of what prosecutors said was the premeditated murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen.

   Prosecutors charged that Azhar killed Zulkarnaen after the businessman allegedly threatened to make public Azhar's sexual affair with Zulkarnaen's youngest wife, a golf caddy.

   The case has triggered speculation of a conspiracy to weaken the anti-corruption commission following a series of successful prosecutions against legislators, prosecutors and senior government officials.

   'I don't understand,' Azhar said when chief judge Herri Suwantoro asked if he understood the indictment.

   The trial was adjourned until next Thursday.

   Azhar has been in police detention since May.

   Two of his deputies at the anti-corruption commission have been named suspects in a criminal investigation for allegedly abusing their power in slapping travel bans on two business people who were subjects of a corruption probe.

   The commission was created in 2003 to tackle endemic corruption with the power to arrest and prosecute suspects.

   Anti-graft activists said there have been systematic efforts by forces within the police and other law enforcement agencies to weaken the commission.