Antasari Azhar the corrupion hero in Indonesia detention extended as date for trial remains unset

The Jakarta Police decided Sunday to extend for the second the detention of former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Antasari Azhar, who is accused of murder.

Jakarta Police chief spokesman Sr. Comr. Chrysnanda told The Jakarta Post that Antasari will remain detained until Aug. 31, pending his trial for the alleged murder of director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, Nasruddin Zulkarnaen, who was a KPK witness.

“We still have some perfecting to do with our charges against him, and that is why we have extended his incarceration again, that is to make our case flawless,” Chrysnanda told the Post over the phone Sunday.

The extension came as a surprise, as the police had said that Antasari would stand trial in early August. The move has raised speculation that the police lack enough evidence to prosecute Antasari, a charge Chrysnanda has denied.

“This is not about us not having the evidence, but about how we can best use the evidence we have in court,” he said.

Antasari’s lawyer, Ari Yusuf Amir, criticized the extension, calling it a violation of human rights.

He said the fact that the second request for extension was made on July 6, long before Antasari’s first extension expired on Aug. 1, was a deliberately unfair.

The police may detain a suspect for 60 days before bringing their case to court, with extensions only available with a solid reason and with the court’s permission.

“The police had until July 13 to bring his case to court, but a request to extend his detention was filed on June 1. The court granted the police that extension until Aug. 1,” Ari said.

“The weird thing is before that deadline is up, the police requested another extension, on July 6, which the court granted again.

“That means this extension was already planned, which violates the law, as an extension can only be given if it is deemed necessary.”

Ari said his team had already sent an objection letter to the Jakarta High Court, saying that Antasari must be released if the police and prosecutors could not find the evidence to charge his client.