Muhammad Nazaruddin, who used to enjoy respect for his position as treasurer of the ruling Democrat Party, has been arrested and is now on his way home, chief security minister Djoko Suyanto said here on Friday.
Nazaruddin left Colombia, his last hiding place, at 5.20pm local time or 5.20am here Friday morning, Suyanto said.
He said Nazaruddin who flew aboard a chartered plane under tight security is expected to arrive here on Saturday morning as the flight would take between 20 and 24 hours.
Djoko Suyanto could not as yet confirm where Nazaruddin would arrive. "I do not know yet. But he would arrive in Jakarta while the city only has two airports namely in Cengkareng and Halim," he said.
Djoko said Nazaruddin is escorted by ten people consisting of officials from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the police and immigration office.
As Nazaruddin is a suspect in the case handled by KPK Djoko predicted Nazaruddin would immediately be taken to KPK upon arrival for questioning.
Djoko said the cost of taking Nazaruddin back home by a chartered plane was Rp4 billion, which would be taken from the national budget. He said the choice was made for security reasons.
Djoko assured that the legal process of Nazaruddin`s case would be free of pressure from anyone and would be transparent and accountable.
He said the government would not intefere in the case. Nazaruddin has been named suspect by KPK for his alleged involvemnet in the bribery at the SEA Games athlete building project in Palembang.
Nazaruddin has been on the spotlight after he disclosed names from his hiding place connected to his case including those from his former party elite.
(SYS/H-YH/O001)
Editor: Suryanto
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