After 10 Years, Convict of BLBI Case Deported

VIVAnews – Convict of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support (BLBI), Sherny Kojongian, arrived at Soekarno Hatta Airport on Wednesday, June 13th. She is mapped out to be taken to the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the Central Jakarta’s District Attorney Office. 

“The judge’s verdict will be passed anytime soon,” said Head of Legal Information Center of the Attorney General's Office, Adi Toegarisman. 

The woman born on 18 February 1963 escaped in 2002 during the trial of Bank Harapan Sentosa (BHS)’s corruption case. The Central Jakarta District Court, on 18 March 2002 had sentenced Sherny with 20 years of imprisonment along with Hendra Rahardja and Eko Edi Putranto.

The three were found guilty of corruption worth of Rp1.95 trillion. They were also obligated to return the money to the State. 

Sherny, the former Director of BHS’ Credit and Treasury Department, was chased by the International Police (Interpol) since 2006.  At that time, based on NCB-Interpol Indonesia’s request, ICPO-Interpol in Lyon, France, issued a red notice for Sherny Kojongian and Eko Edi Putranto, the Commissary of BHS.

According to Director of Information and Media of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PLE Priatna, based on the Interpol’s red notice, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of San Francisco, arrested Sherny on 10 November 2010. Her deportation trial was held in San Francisco court. While waiting for the process, the fugitive was given a chance to appeal for bail. 

In the deportation trial, said Priatna, the judge finally decided that Sherny must be deported back to Indonesia. However, Sherny refused. 

Efforts were made by Sherny for avoiding the deportation. She appealed the verdict.

In addition to the appeal, Sherny had also applied for an asylum to the United States so that she could stay there. “During her escape, Sherny tried to obtain US citizenship and had previously filed for an asylum,” said Priatna.

However, Sherny’s efforts proved fruitless as the court insisted on deporting Sherny back to Indonesia. 

“During the appeal trial, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals of the USA rejected the appeal filed by Sherny Sahora alias Sherny Kojongian and confirmed its previous decision to deport her back to Indonesia,” said Priatna. 

Sherny’s attorney, OC Kaligis, denied allegations saying that his client ran away overseas on purpose. Sherny left for America way before the travel ban had been issued. 

“How can we say she was a fugitive?” said Kaligis.  Sherny’s attorney has sent a letter to the Supreme Court to immediately examine the decision of the judges of the Central Jakarta District Court on this case.