Nivell Rayda – The country's most prominent antigraft group on Thursday condemned a Corruption Eradication Commission official for allegedly protecting a former state prosecutor on Thursday.

Indonesia Corruption Watch said Ferry Wibisono, the director of prosecution at the commission, also known as the KPK, had violated the body's code of conduct by escorting Wisnu Subroto, a former deputy attorney general of intelligence, through the back door of the KPK's office so he could evade journalists.

Wisnu was summoned by KPK investigators on Thursday to testify against businessman Anggodo Widjojo, who has been declared a suspect by the KPK for allegedly attempting to bribe antigraft officials to halt investigations into his brother, graft fugitive Anggoro Widjojo. Ferry, a state prosecutor assigned to the KPK, allegedly assisted his former superior at the Attorney General's Office to sneak out through the basement, reserved only for KPK officials.

"What Ferry did was inappropriate and unethical and could disrupt a KPK investigation against Anggodo. The incident could create the negative image that the KPK is no longer independent," ICW deputy chairman Emerson Yuntho said.

ICW researcher Febri Diansyah, who was at the KPK office at the time, said he personally witnessed Ferry escorting Wisnu.

"I shared an elevator with them. I thought to myself, the case has not gone to the prosecution stage, so what is Ferry doing with Wisnu?" he said. "This is a clear case of misconduct."

KPK spokesman Johan Budi promised to clarify the matter. Ferry could not be reached for comment.

Wisnu came under the spotlight after he was heard discussing a plot to allegedly frame two KPK commissioners with Anggodo in several wiretapped recordings played at a Constitutional Court hearing.

Last week, the AGO said Wisnu would not be punished for involvement in the alleged plot because he had retired and no proof had been found of wrongdoing on his part.