Top Indonesia official escapes arrest by anti-graft police

AP  |  Jakarta 

Indonesia's anti-graft police say they'll declare the speaker of a if he doesn't turn himself in after being accused of involvement in the theft of $170 million of public funds.

Local TV reported that Corruption Eradication Commission officials and paramilitary police went to Setya Novanto's home late Wednesday night in a failed bid to arrest him and were instead by his wife and lawyer.


Commission spokesman Febri Diansyah said Thursday its enforcement team is still searching for Novanto, who was once hailed by President Donald Trump as one of Indonesia's most powerful men.

Diansyah said in a text message to The Associated Press: "We urge him to surrender. We'll consider declaring him a if he is uncooperative."

Novanto has denied any wrongdoing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Thu, November 16 2017. 11:02 IST