Jakarta – The KPK unveiled Wednesday a link between two top officials at the Attorney General Office's (AGO) in the case of alleged bribery involving businesswoman Artalyta Suryani and state prosecutor Urip Tri Gunawan.

In their indictment read at the Corruption Court, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors said Artalyta, with the help of Urip, met Junior Attorney General of Special Crimes Kemas Yahya Rahman and AGO Director of Investigation of Special Crimes Muhammad Salim on Dec. 5 last year.

The meeting was allegedly in relation to an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Bank Indonesia liquidity support (BLBI) funds involving tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim. The prosecutors said Artalyta had a good relationship with Sjamsul's family and had sought help from Urip, who was leading the probe into Sjamsul's case.

Sjamsul, former director of the Indonesian National Commercial Bank (BDNI), was suspected of misusing Rp 28.4 trillion in BLBI funds.

The KPK arrested Urip on March 2 for allegedly receiving US$660,000 and Rp 100 million ($10,800) in bribes from Artalyta, who has said the money she lent Urip was for a gemstone business. The businesswoman was also arrested.

The arrests came just two days after the AGO froze the probe into the cases of Sjamsul and another tycoon Anthony Salim, citing a lack of evidence.

The indictment quoted a conversation between Urip and Artalyta four days before the AGO dropped Sjamsul's case, apparently through phone bugging, which is permissible under the law on the KPK.

"Don't take too long; the stuff has been kept at my house for quite some time... inside my safety box," the indictment quoted Artalyta as saying.

"I will secure all the documents, OK?" Urip replied.

"Yes, it's all ready. Let's just wait until Sunday," Artalyta said.

"Is it in line with my request yesterday?" asked Urip.

"Yes, of course. Did you ask for six?" she said.

"Not including the bonus. Give me an extra, OK?" said Urip.

Attorney General Hendarman Supandji dismissed Kemas and Salim following the arrest of Urip and Artalyta, citing the need to repair the office's reputation.

According to prosecutors, Artalyta had been in contact with Urip since early December last year and had also facilitated the meeting between Sjamsul's wife and Urip on Dec. 6. The next day Artalyta gave Urip Rp 100 million.

Later, Artalyta contacted Urip more frequently for information on the development of Sjamsul's case and advice for Sjamsul's absence when it came to the AGO's summons.

Prosecutors said Artalyta faced a maximum sentence of five years in jail and a Rp 250 million fine. (dre)