Former Indonesian anti-graft czar Antasari transferred to serve 18-year prison term

Former Indonesian anti-graft czar Antasari transferred to serve 18-year prison term

2011-01-03 13:14:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesian authorities on Sunday transfered former anti-graft czar Antasari Azhar to Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta to begin an 18-year prison term, local media reported.

Azhar, who was previously considered as one of the country's most important prosecutors, was convicted for ordering the murder of businessman Nasrudin Zularnaen, the Jakarta Globe reported.

The murder was ordered in an attempt to cover up his love affair with Nasrudin's third wife after they were seen together at a hotel.

Azhar, while chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was arrested in May 2009 in relation to the murder. The South Jakarta District Court found him guilty of masterminding the murder last February.

In the same case, three other defendants were convicted as well, although they received lesser charges during separate trials.

Azhar later appealed the sentence to the Supreme Court last September but it upheld his murder conviction. Prior to his transfer, Azhar was in custody at the Jakarta Police Headquarters.

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