Febrie Adriansyah denies extortion as trial approaches

JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com –
Former assistant attorney general for special crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah denied an extortion allegation on Friday, September 18, as prosecutors took over his case for preparation of an indictment.

Febrie spoke to reporters after investigators transferred him and case evidence to the South Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office. 

The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation concerns alleged extortion and money laundering linked to the handling of cases involving state insurers ASABRI and Jiwasraya. Febrie is a suspect. However, a court has not determined his guilt.

“During my 33 years as a prosecutor, the internal oversight division has never disciplined or investigated me, and no one has filed a complaint against me,” Febrie said in footage published by Metro TV.

He challenged the investigators’ extortion allegation and asked the court to examine it.

Febrie’s account of his disciplinary history is his own claim. The absence of an internal sanction, even if confirmed, would not by itself resolve a criminal allegation. 

Prosecutors must present evidence supporting their charges, while Febrie will have the opportunity to challenge it during the judicial process.

Attorney General’s Office spokesperson Anang Supriatna said Friday’s stage-two transfer handed the suspects and evidence from investigators to prosecutors. He said the transfer also included two other suspects, Don Ritto and Nurman Herin.

Prosecutors will prepare the indictment before submitting the case to the corruption court at the Central Jakarta District Court. The transfer was not a verdict or the start of a trial.

The prosecution has publicly maintained that investigators found sufficient evidence to pursue the suspected extortion. 

Anang said on September 10 that the office had not yet set out the full alleged transaction or each person’s role. Those matters would form part of the case presented in court.

Febrie has asked judges to examine the case clearly and fairly. The next substantive account of the allegations should come in the indictment.

This document will identify what prosecutors say happened and the evidence they intend to rely on. Until the court assesses that evidence and Febrie’s defense, the extortion and money-laundering allegations remain unproven.