Indonesia Arrests Judges for Bribery in Corruption Case
Indonesia arrested three judges who allegedly received more than $1 million for acquitting three palm oil companies of corruption charges while they sought export permits in 2022, Reuters reported Monday.
Authorities over the weekend had already arrested Muhammad Arif Nuryanta, chief judge of South Jakarta district court, for allegedly receiving $3.57 million from the companies in exchange for a favorable verdict, according to Reuters.
The chief judge then gave $1.07 million to the three other judges who delivered the verdict – and who were then apprehended.
One local court’s chief judge had previously been arrested on bribery charges in the same case, along with two lawyers and a court clerk.
The companies involved are Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group, and North Sumatra-based Permata Hijau Group.
Indonesia contributes to about 60 percent of the global palm oil supply. The country imposed rigid export regulations in 2022, such as a three-week ban on shipments, in an effort to control the rising prices of cooking oil locally.
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