FORENSIC EXPERT RECEIVED NASRUDDIN'S BODY IN ALTERED CONDITION

Jakarta, Dec 10 (ANTARA) - A forensic expert from state Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Dr Mun'im Idris, said the corpse of Nasruddin Zulkarnaen was no longer in its original condition when he received it for an autopsy.

"The corpse was no longer in its original state," he said here on Thursday when testifying as an expert at a court session on the case of Antasari Azhar, the former chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), accused of killing Nasruddin, director of PT Putra Rajawali Banjaran.

Nasruddin died from a gunshot to his head after playing golf in Modernland Golf Court on March 14, 2009. The case drew huge public attention as it involved Antasari Azhar who was then just spearheading the anti-corruption fight in the country.

Nasruddin was first taken to Mayapada Hospital but later moved to Gatot Subroto army hospital.

Mun'im said when the corpse arrived at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital it had its hair already cut and the wound already stitched.

"It was no longer in its original condition. The hair had been cut and the wound stitched," he said.

Under the given conditions, he said, no traces of gunshot wound could be seen.

Meanwhile, he said, for an autopsy to be conducted properly, four factors needed to exist, namely wholesome condition of the corpse, original evidence, examination technicalities and coordination. But in the Nasruddin body's case, no gunshot wound was detected, he said.

In reply to a question from Antasari's lawyer if the condition of the corpse was not a problem with regard to rules, Mun'im said it was legitimate. "The stitching was done according to the situation," he said.

Besides Antasari, the case also involved businessman Sigit Haryo Wibisono, police Senior Commissioner Wiliardi Wizar and Jerry Hermawan Lo.

Prosecutors in the case of five executors involved in the case meanwhile have demanded a life sentence for them.

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