"The announcement about the charge in addition to alleged Rp1 billion bribery had been unexpected..."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Zainudin Paru, the lawyer of former lawmaker and president of the Islamic Justice and Welfare Party Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq described as groundless the money laundering charge against his client by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
The Indonesian anti graft body has charged Luthfi, who has been arrested in the beef import bribery case, with money laundering.
KPK has also slapped money laundering charge against Luthfi`s close aide Ahmad Fathanah, who has also been in KPK detention since January together Luthfi.
KPK already confiscated four Fatanah`s cars including a Toyota Land Cruiser, a Mercedes Benz SZZ, a Toyota Alphard C 200 and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
Fatanah was nabbed by KPK in January with Rp1 billion cash allegedly to be handed over to Luthfi, who was also arrested shortly later.
The money was allegedly a bribe to gain support from KPK lawmakers in the imports of beef from Middle East against quota regulation.
Zainuddin said KPK had wrongly charged Luthfi with money laundering without strong evidence.
"The announcement about the charge in addition to alleged Rp1 billion bribery had been unexpected as it is entirely wrong," he told ANTARA News agency here on Wednesday.
KPK spokesman Johan Budi said Luthfi was suspected of stashing away , or converting money illegally collected in the beef import case.
KPK is investigating suspected ill gotten assets of Luthfi, Johan said.
(Uu.H-ASG/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
