Jakarta – Former top Indonesian spy Muchdi Purworandjono is set to return to the Great Indonesian Movement Party (Gerindra), in a comeback to politics following a court decision to free him from all murder-related charges.

Muchdi's party membership will be reinstated and he will be reappointed as chairman of the organization as soon as he gets out of prison, Gerindra political deputy chairman Fadli Zon told tempointeraktif.com on Thursday.

Previously, prosecutors accused Muchdi of having solicited and assisted convicted murderer Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto in the murder of human rights activist Munir Said Thalib. Yesterday, however, South Jakarta District Court cleared the retired general of all charges.

The party was gladdened by news of Muchdi's release and had not suffered any negative impacts from his previous implication, Fadli said.

"From the beginning, we have believed Muchdi is innocent and that he is a scapegoat for several elite politicians," he said.

"After Pak Muchdi meets his family, he will join Gerindra to campaign in several regions to attract votes to help us win the general election." (ewd)