Prosecutors on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Erwin Arnada, editor of the Indonesian version of Playboy magazine, after he failed to show up to begin serving his two-year prison term before the deadline passed.
“Erwin has fled justice. My men have been instructed to search for him at the airport and other locations.
Prosecutors must take coercive measures because he has broken his own promise to be present here during office hours,” said Muhammad Yusuf, South Jakarta’s chief prosecutor. “There is no acceptable reason at this point for the delay.”
Prosecutors have delivered three summonses to Erwin, who was convicted of indecency in July 2009 by the Supreme Court, which overturned his acquittal by a lower court two years earlier.
After three summonses without results, forcible arrest is allowed under the country’s criminal code procedures.
Last month, Erwin asked for a delay to get mentally prepared for prison and to put his business affairs in order because he is the sole breadwinner for his family.
Earlier this week, Erwin again delayed, saying he was in Bali for a cultural event at the invitation of the local governor.
When contacted on Thursday afternoon, his attorney, Ina Rachman, said she was still awaiting confirmation from her client.
She said earlier that Erwin would return to Jakarta on a Wednesday night flight, but Yusuf said Erwin’s name was not on the manifest for the Jakarta-bound plane he was supposed to have been on.
“His camp said he departed at 9 p.m. from Bali but we couldn’t find him. He will be placed on the wanted list if we fail to capture him immediately,” Yusuf said.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan has publicly opposed the conviction and said he would ask the president to stop prosecutors from arresting Erwin.
Bagir, who now heads the Press Council, said he would help Erwin prepare case review documents to challenge the ruling.
Bagir’s successor as chief justice, Harifin Tumpa, said the court was open to Erwin’s request for a review, his final legal avenue to overturn the conviction.
In Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Harta, identified as Erwin’s spiritual guide, told the Jakarta Globe that Erwin was still on the island
Playboy Editor Now a Fugitive As Jail Surrender Date Passes | The Jakarta Globe
“Erwin has fled justice. My men have been instructed to search for him at the airport and other locations.
Prosecutors must take coercive measures because he has broken his own promise to be present here during office hours,” said Muhammad Yusuf, South Jakarta’s chief prosecutor. “There is no acceptable reason at this point for the delay.”
Prosecutors have delivered three summonses to Erwin, who was convicted of indecency in July 2009 by the Supreme Court, which overturned his acquittal by a lower court two years earlier.
After three summonses without results, forcible arrest is allowed under the country’s criminal code procedures.
Last month, Erwin asked for a delay to get mentally prepared for prison and to put his business affairs in order because he is the sole breadwinner for his family.
Earlier this week, Erwin again delayed, saying he was in Bali for a cultural event at the invitation of the local governor.
When contacted on Thursday afternoon, his attorney, Ina Rachman, said she was still awaiting confirmation from her client.
She said earlier that Erwin would return to Jakarta on a Wednesday night flight, but Yusuf said Erwin’s name was not on the manifest for the Jakarta-bound plane he was supposed to have been on.
“His camp said he departed at 9 p.m. from Bali but we couldn’t find him. He will be placed on the wanted list if we fail to capture him immediately,” Yusuf said.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan has publicly opposed the conviction and said he would ask the president to stop prosecutors from arresting Erwin.
Bagir, who now heads the Press Council, said he would help Erwin prepare case review documents to challenge the ruling.
Bagir’s successor as chief justice, Harifin Tumpa, said the court was open to Erwin’s request for a review, his final legal avenue to overturn the conviction.
In Bali, I Gusti Ngurah Harta, identified as Erwin’s spiritual guide, told the Jakarta Globe that Erwin was still on the island
Playboy Editor Now a Fugitive As Jail Surrender Date Passes | The Jakarta Globe