Rendi A. Witular and Nani Afrida, Jakarta – The Judicial Mafia Taskforce on Thursday warned that claims of a conspiracy by graft convict Gayus H. Tambunan were merely a distraction to skew public attention away from the core issue of judicial and tax broker rings.

Taskforce member Mas Achmad "Ota" Santosa said key players, including police generals, prosecutors and high-profile businessmen, involved in the Gayus case would not lead sheltered lives for much longer.

"Gayus' claims are a decoy to get the public to forget about the crux of the case and the big players. Our focus should now be centered on efforts to unravel the judicial and tax mafia, as well as Gayus' jaunts away from prison," he said.

Former taxman Gayus launched into a tirade after his sentencing hearing Thursday, accusing the taskforce of politically engineering his case to implicate companies linked to Golkar Party chairman Aburizal Bakrie.

Gayus' lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution, who received Rp 10 billion (US$1.1 million) in legal fees for defending Gayus, unexpectedly turned on the taskforce, with which he had previously had good ties.

Gayus also alleged fugitive fake passport suspect John Jerome Grice, an American national, was an agent with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The police said Grice was involved in making false Republic of Guyana passports for Gayus and his family.

Gayus' CIA claims became an instant sensation on most Indonesian media outlets on Thursday.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto said Gayus' seven-year sentence was just the beginning of much heavier punishment to come. "Gayus still faces charges for falsifying a passport, bribery and illegal prison escapes."

Deputy attorney general Darmono also pledged that the masterminds in the tax mafia case would soon be prosecuted. "We are now investigating the source of the Rp 28 billion and Rp 75 billion in bribes received by Gayus for his services in helping large firms 'settle' their tax problems."

Gayus previously claimed the Rp 28 billion in his bank account came partly from coal companies linked to the Bakrie family, an allegation repeatedly denied by the Bakries. Police claim Gayus helped whittle down the tax payments of 151 companies, including large multinationals.

"We have been working closely with the tax office since Thursday to probe the accounts of the companies alleged to look for indications of tax crimes," National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi said.

Gayus case loose ends1. Judicial mafia

Gayus' bribery of law enforcement officials has not been followed up. So far, only former Tangerang court chief judge Muhtadi Asnun and several middle-ranking police officers have been convicted. Key players allegedly involved in the case, including Brig. Gen. Edmond Ilyas, Brig. Gen. Raja Erizman, and prosecutor Cyrus Sinaga remain untouched.

2. Tax mafia

Gayus' bank accounts contained Rp 28 billion (US$3.1 million) and Rp 74 billion, allegedly received from large companies for his service in helping them with their taxes. However, this aspect of the case has never been followed up. Gayus was involved in assisting 151 companies. The National Police and Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) are at odds over which institution should lead the investigation.

3. Prison escape

Police have been unable to uncover those behind Gayus' illegal prison jaunts, other than the involvement of several low-ranking prison officers who are currently under arrest. Gayus has been questioned for bribing the officers to be able to leave his cell, and also for obtaining an Indonesian passport, which he successfully used to fly overseas.