Jakarta – An alliance of activists, politicians and experts has accused Forestry Minister M.S. Kaban of intervening in the police investigation into an illegal logging case against wood businessman Adelin Lis.

Adelin was arrested in September in China for his alleged role in illegal logging in Indonesia.

Speaking in a seminar on illegal logging here Thursday, the alliance said a letter sent by Kaban to police in North Sumatra was an indication that the minister was trying to interfere in the investigation.

The minister sent the letter to North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Bambang Hendarso on April 21, 2006, asking him to stop the investigation into administrative violations allegedly committed by PT Mujur Timur Timber, owned by Adelin.

Greenomics Indonesia coordinator Vanda Meutia Dewi said she was also disappointed with the police's move to auction all illegal logs confiscated from the company as material evidence in the case.

Bambang Suharis, a legislator with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, said the letter showed the government lacked coordination in combating illegal logging cases in the country.