Ilham Oktafian, Jakarta – The Attorney General's Office announced on Thursday that it has charged seven additional individuals in connection with the illegal production of gold bars at the state-owned mining company Antam. This brings the total number of suspects in the case to 13.

Prosecutors allege that 109 tons of gold bars were illegally produced by Antam executives between 2010 and 2022.

The new suspects are customers of Antam's gold bar production unit, according to AGO spokesman Harli Siregar. "Investigators have gathered incriminating evidence to designate seven more individuals as suspects," he said during a news conference in Jakarta.

Two suspects, identified by the initials SL and GAR, were immediately detained following their interrogation. The remaining new suspects were placed under house arrest due to health reasons.

Harli explained that the seven suspects conspired with Antam executives to have their gold stamped with the Antam brand without any formal business agreement and without paying any fees to Antam. "They used Antam's smelting and casting facilities to illegally obtain the Antam brand," he said.

The illegally minted gold bars weigh an estimated 109 tons, though the exact amount of state losses is still being calculated, Harli added.

Earlier this month, six former Antam general managers responsible for precious metal purification and management between 2010 and 2022 were also named as suspects. The former executives are identified by their initials TK, HN, DM, AHA, MA, and ID.

Investigators allege that the suspects conspired to illegally produce gold bars bearing the Antam logo over a period of at least 12 years, resulting in the production of 109 tons of gold bars.

Prosecutors have seized 7.7 kilograms of fine gold bars from the suspects and have interrogated nearly 100 witnesses in connection with the case, Harli said.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/gerindra-politician-drops-gubernatorial-bid-after-cabinet-appointmen