The move added to the heat of controversy over which of the country`s law enforcing agencies has the right to investigate the case .
The country`s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) already launched investigation of the case and has named four suspects including the three police officers.
Police yesterday announced it had five suspects in the corruption case over the procurement of driving simulators for the police`s traffic division worth Rp198.7 billion.
However, Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo, the main suspect named by the anti-graft agency was not included among the suspects named by police.
The three officers arrested on Saturday included Djoko`s deputy Brig. Gen. Didik Purnomo and two middle ranking police officers.
"It is true , the three police officers and a civilian, have been arrested," police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafly Amar said here today.
The police move has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers and legal experts accusing police of abuse of power violating the law that bans other law enforcing agencies from interfering in cases being investigated by KPK.
The fact that Djoko is not included in the police`s list of suspects raised doubt about the motive of the police`s move.
Police chief detective Coms. Gen. Sutarman said police would not hand over the suspects to KPK . (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
