Jakarta – A lawyer for the jailed youngest son of former Indonesian president Suharto will soon face charges of bribing a witness at his trial, a prosecutor said yesterday.

Police have returned revised evidence dossiers on lawyer Elza Syarief to Jakarta prosecutors so they can prepare a document for trial. "In a week's time, at the latest, it can be submitted to the court," said prosecutor Andi Walinga.

Mr Andi said Elza would be tried on charges of bribery and trying to persuade a witness to perjure himself.

Elza was one of the lawyers for Hutomo "Tommy" Suharto in his trial for illegal weapons possession and murder. Last July, he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in jail.

Police have said Elza persuaded a security guard at an apartment owned by Tommy to withdraw his statement to police that a cache of weapons found there belonged to Tommy.

Elza has maintained her innocence. She has admitted that she gave US$600 to three witnesses to buy clothes and rent a car and driver for their court appearance, but denied that the money was a bribe.