Graft defendant cries when reading defense plea

Sjahril Djohan, a former diplomat suspected as a case broker, cried when he read his defense plea during a court hearing at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.

"I appeal, especially for Susno Duadji, who told a parliementary hearing that he didn't know me, be a gentleman! Susno and I were very close. I treated him just like my own little brother," Sjahril told the court hearing.

He paused for seconds and cried.

Sjahril was referring to the former National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji who initially came up with the alleged bribery case which then brought Sjahril into custody.

Susno, in several occasions including a hearing with legislators, named Sjahril as "Mr. X, the biggest case broker in the National Police".

Prosecutors have sought a two-year jail term for Sjahril and demanded that the court also order him to pay a Rp 75 million fine or serve an extra six months in jail.

Susno has also been charged for allegedly receiving Rp 500 million (US$56,000) in bribes from Sjahril.

The same court also tried Susno which on Wednesday heard his defense plea against prosecutors' indictment.