Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has decided to temporarily relieve Akil Mochtar from his current post as Constitutional Court chief justice in service of the interrogation on bribery charges against him.

Mochtar was arrested on the night of October 2 on the charge of receiving 3 billion Rupiah (over 250,000 USD) in a case relating to an electoral dispute in Gunung Mas regency, Borneo island.

Later, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) also named him as a suspect for another case regarding an electoral dispute in Lebak regency, Banten province, since he was accused of receiving 1 billion Rupiah (87,000 USD).
Mochtar may face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment if the charges are confirmed. One of the constitutional court’s main roles is to decide on electoral disputes. The arrest of Mochtar also brought into question the impartiality of previous decisions by the court in adjudicating electoral disputes, including the recent gubernatorial elections in East Java and Bali provinces.-VNA