Ago Hopes Sherny Leads On Other Fugitive

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Attorney General Office has expressed hope that the recent arrest of corruption convict Sherny Kojongian in the US would lead to the capture of the other fugitive, Eko Hadi Putranto, who was Sherny's colleague at Bank Harapan Sentosa (BHS).

"We are expecting information from Sherny. She might know where Eko is," Deputy Attorney General Darmono said here on Friday.

He stated that all fugitives convicted in connection with the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) program, which was implemented to bail out banks during the 1997-98 economic crisis, would have their assets seized.

"We will step up the hunt for the BLBI fugitives," Darmono said, adding that he would also investigate the loss of Rp1.1 trillion suffered by the state in connection with the case.

During initial interrogation, Sherny, a former director of the credit department of BHS, said she did not know the whereabouts of Eko.

"She said she had not met with him for 10 years and had no contact with him. However, we would continue to persuade her [to give more information about Eko]," Darmono stated.

He said 21 other BLBI fugitives continued to be on the run. Sherny was sentenced to 20 years in jail, along with her BHS colleagues, Eko and Hendra Rahardja. Hendra died in detention in Australia, before being extradited back to Indonesia.(*/M038/IGT)