Mita Amalia Hapsari, Jakarta – Former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah entered detention on Friday night without handcuffs or the pink detainee vest typically worn by corruption suspects, drawing attention because he once oversaw many of Indonesia's highest-profile graft prosecutions.
The scene contrasted sharply with the public appearances of suspects during Febrie's tenure as the country's top anti-corruption prosecutor, when detainees – including a sitting minister, a former cabinet minister, and prominent business leaders – were routinely escorted from questioning wearing pink detention vests and handcuffs.
Febrie resigned earlier this month after being named a corruption suspect following the discovery of 74 kilograms of gold bullion and millions of dollars in cash concealed in a hidden cabinet at one of his homes.
"Today I was questioned as a suspect and detained. This is the decision of the leadership of the Attorney General's Office, and I am prepared to face it," Febrie told reporters before boarding a detention vehicle.
Deputy Attorney General for Internal Supervision Rudi Margono said Febrie had been placed in detention for an initial 20-day period at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detention facility in East Jakarta as part of a money laundering investigation.
"The alleged offense is money laundering committed by a state official in his capacity as a prosecutor or structural official during his service at the Attorney General's Office," Rudi said, without providing further details.
Rudi said Febrie was not handcuffed or required to wear a detainee vest because of the late hour and the urgency of the situation.
Earlier on Friday, the Attorney General's Office announced that it had requested the KPK to supervise the investigation to address concerns over a potential conflict of interest, given that the case is being handled by the Special Crimes Division, which Febrie led until only a few weeks ago.
The office has assigned a team of nine investigators to the case, most of whom previously served at the KPK.
Investigators have also named businessman and lawyer Don Ritto as a suspect. He has been in custody since the early stages of the investigation.
The case stems from a police investigation into alleged corruption involving coal procurement at state electricity company PLN, the state insurer Asabri, and bribery at state-owned steel producer Krakatau Steel. During that investigation, police searched 12 locations, including Febrie's home, where they discovered the gold and cash.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/febrie-adriansyah-detained-without-handcuffs-or-detainee-ves