A smile graced the lips of 59-year-old retired Major-General Muchdi Purwoprandjono. All through Wednesday afternoon last week, he received a never- ending stream of congratulations from colleagues and relatives. Speaking to journalists waiting in front of his home in South Jakarta, he even managed to joke about the situation. "On account of you, I've become famous," said the former commander of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) laughing loudly, who on Wednesday last week was declared "acquitted on all charges" by a panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court.

As soon as last week's court hearing closed, Muchdi set off from the Police Mobile Brigade detention center in Kelapa Dua, Depok, where he had been confined for the last six months. Aside from packing his belongings, the father of three bade farewell to several of his "cellmates" including among others retired Police General Rusdihardjo, former prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan and Aulia Pohan, a former Bank Indonesia deputy who since last November has been held at the detention center.

After making his farewells to the other prisoners, Muchdi set off for home, where a small family thanksgiving ceremony awaited him. About 40 orphaned children from Cimanggis in Depok were invited to the event.

Muchdi admitted he was extremely happy to be able to get together again with his friends and family. The chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association board of directors who according to his friends was nicknamed "Jango" – in reference to a trigger-happy spaghetti western cowboy of the 1960s films – stated that he would become active again with the Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), a political party he established along with retired Lieutenant-General Prabowo Subianto, who is also a former Kopassus commander. In between receiving guests who arrived one after another on Wednesday last week, he answered questions from Tempo reporters, Ramidi and Rini Kustiani. Excerpts:

The judges finally acquitted you of all charges.

Yes, I thank God. I also thank the panel of judges who made the decision based on the legal considerations that existed, not in the interests of other people, the interests of particular groups, or international interests.

Were you sure you would be acquitted?

I was positive. Yes of course, there was no evidence whatsoever or any witnesses to implicate me.

How do you see the case that led to you being dragged into court?

I believe we are a constitutional state. Go ahead and process or investigate [a person] legally. [But] do not accuse a person based on assumptions or [political] manipulation. That can destroy a person.

You are free, but the prosecution plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

An appeal to the Supreme Court is the prosecution's prerogative. It's in accordance with the Indonesian legal system, right. Go ahead, I have no objections.

Is it true you plan to bring countercharges against those who accused you of being behind Munir's murder?

Let us wait and see. I'll be coordinating first with the team of legal advisors, whether or not it is necessary to lay charges or how. We'll look at it later in legal terms.

You were indicted, among other things, of instigating the murder of Munir and the misuse of authority. Which of the prosecutor's charges do you consider to be most erroneous?

In this matter, I'm not competent to answer.

During the trial you once said that what you did was known by the 'user'. What did you mean?

That what I did or did not do was known by my superior. That's called being a subordinate. I also know what is done by my subordinates. That is normal in a hierarchy. Under the military system, that's usual.

By the user did you mean Hendropriyono, your superior at the time?

That's wrong. This is in the context of a hierarchy.

Given this verdict by the judges, does this mean that the murder was at Pollycarpus' own initiative?

I don't believe there is any connection. During the trial, there was no such connection [established]. I never had a relationship with Pollycarpus.

Now that you are free, will you become active in the political party again?

Yes, I'm still a Gerindra functionary. (Muchdi is registered as the Deputy Chairman of Gerindra). I'm also active in social and sports organization activities. The elections are only three months away. I plan to travel around Indonesia in the context of the Gerindra campaign, so that Gerindra can obtain a significant vote.