"If there is enough evidence, they must be named (suspects). But this is just an allegation," Chief of the National Police Criminal Investigation Board (Bareskrim) Commr. Gen. Budi Waseso said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some 21 Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators are facing charges for illegal arms possession.

"If there is enough evidence, they must be named (suspects). But this is just an allegation," Chief of the National Police Criminal Investigation Board (Bareskrim) Commr. Gen. Budi Waseso said here on Tuesday.

The 21 KPK investigators are former police officers.

Waseso added that Bareskrim was gathering more evidence to support the case.

Police will investigate the case as the public has reported that the KPK investigators permits to own firearms have expired and hence the weapons they possess are illegal.

"Their permits have not been extended. Some of them expired in 2012 and some earlier than that, in 2011," he stated.

Possessing firearms without proper permits is dangerous and is considered as gross violation of the law, he added.

Waseso remarked that firearms, including ammunition, must be used carefully. "How many rounds of ammunition do they possess and what are they used for. All these must be accounted for and mentioned in an official report," he pointed out.

Under the emergency law number 12 of 1951, the KPK investigators can be sentenced to up to 12 years if they are found guilty, he emphasized.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015