Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Suspended public prosecutor Cirus Sinaga abused his authority and position to commit extortion when he was handling the tax corruption case of former tax officer Gayus Halomoan Tambunan, the South Jakarta corruption court was told on Monday.

The charge against Cirus was made by the prosecution at his trial for violating Article 12 of Law Number 21 of 1999 on corruption.

The prosecution said Cirus who had also handled the case of former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chief Antasari Azhar had sought financial gain for himself and others in violation of the law and by abusing his authority had forced other people to pay or receive payments for him.

For his alleged criminal offense, Cirus faces up to 20 years in jail, if found guilty.

The first trial session on his case was presided over by Judge Albertina Ho who had earlier convicted Gayus Tambunan for corruption.

Albertina reprimanded Cirus for coming to the court two hours late.

Cirus Sinaga, based on the results of investigation by the police on Gayus Tambunan, had allegedly received bribes which he had also distributed to judges who each received Rp5 billion.

Because of Gayus` confession, Cirus was suspended from his job and detained at the Salemba penitentiary after spending some time at the police`s detention center.
(T.V002/H-YH/HAJM/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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