Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – Former police advisor, diplomat, and now a graft convict, Sjahril Djohan, confirmed Thursday his role as a case broker in the National Police headquarters, taking advantage of his close personal relation with a police general.

Testifying at the South Jakarta District Court during the trial of former National Police Detective chief Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji, Sjahril said his closeness to former National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. (ret.) Makbul Padmanegara gave him special treatment and access.

"I could enter the National Police Directorate of Detectives' building through the back door. I accessed the door directly from where I parked my car, which was also allowed special access to the area," Sjahril told the hearing.

He added that Makbul appointed him as a police advisor when Makbul was still the National Police detective chief. "After Makbul became National Police deputy chief, I worked out of a room near his office, which then became my office," he said.

Sjahril was sentenced to 18 months in prison last month for bribery in connection with an investigation into the ownership dispute of a Riau-based fish breeding firm. Sjahril was accused of facilitating the bribery by delivering Rp 500 million (US$56,000) in cash to Susno in exchange for speeding up the proceedings of the case. He said he accepted the sentence.

"This court has ruled you guilty and you have decided not to appeal, so you are really a case broker," One of Susno's lawyers, Mohammad Assegaf, told Sjahril before the hearing. "I'm not a case broker. I did not bribe Susno. I was just helping friends settle protracted cases," Sjahril responded.

He admitted he had voluntarily helped settle other cases apart from the fish farming case, but refused to disclose them.

Susno's defense team raised questions about Sjahril's motives. "Why would you do that? What is your motive for just helping friends without expecting anything in return?" Assegaf said.

Also testifying at Thursday's hearing was the former lawyer of former tax official Gayus Tambunan, Haposan Hutagalung. However, some of Sjahril's testimony, especially his account of the time or dates of certain events, was not backed up by Haposan.

Susno's lawyers, however, expressed irritation at the situation. "You are an old man. Please be honest. Lying is not good," Assegaf said.

Judge Haswindi also reminded Sjahril that he was testifying under oath. During recess, Sjahril said he was not good at remembering the time and date. "I never intended to lie. But Susno is a bigger liar," he said. After Sjahril's testimony, Susno reiterated that he had never taken bribes either from Sjahril or Haposan.

Susno is on trial for the same graft case. He has also been indicted of alleged embezzlement from the police security budget during the 2008 West Java gubernatorial election. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.