Heru Andriyanto – The investigation of Antasari Azhar's alleged role in the murder of Nasrudin Zulkarnaen had made little progress in the three weeks since his arrest, Antasari's lawyer said on Monday.

"[Antasari] has only been questioned four times so far and the substance of the case has not even been touched on," said Juniver Girsang, a lawyer acting for the suspended Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman. Antasari is accused of orchestrating the assassination of Nasrudin, former director of state-run pharmaceutical company PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran, last March.

"We hope the case will go to trial sooner than later. There have been too many opinions that will only harm us all and confuse the public," Juniver told reporters at the South Jakarta District Court.

"If police are lacking evidence [to charge Antasari], the law allows them to drop the case," he added.

Juniver said that his client had asked for police protection after he was blackmailed and threatened by Nasrudin prior to the murder. The police responded to Antasari's request and allegedly investigated the claims.

"The police said my client had a motive to kill [Nasrudin]. If they were right, why should my client ask for protection from the police before the murder was carried out?" Juniver asked.

While the police have not officially come out with a statement regarding the motive behind the murder, several officers have linked it to a love triangle involving Antasari, Nasrudin and female golf caddie Rani Juliani, 22.

Jakarta Police have extended the detention period of Antasari and eight other suspects in the case to another 20 days as their original terms have expired with the dossiers remaining incomplete. Police recently announced several new suspects, including a navy officer and three policemen, who were allegedly responsible for supplying the pistol used in the mafia-style hit.