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Susno Duadji, the former National Police chief of detectives, denied accusations made by a witness that he had accepted Rp 500 million ($55,000) in bribes from accused case broker Sjahril Djohan, when they came face-to-face on Thursday during Sjahril’s trial at the South Jakarta District Court.

“I swear to God I never took the money. I am making this statement under oath, and during the holy fasting month [of Ramadan],” Susno told the hearing, presided over by Judge Sudarwin. He said any claims that he had demanded a Rp 3.5 billion fee to be paid through Sjahril were groundless.

Susno’s testimony during Thursday’s hearing comes days after lawyer Haposan Hutagalung claimed that Susno was paid Rp 500 million to have a partner in a South Sumatra fish farm arrested for embezzlement.

Haposan said during Monday’s hearing in Sjahril’s trial that Susno had extorted billions of rupiah from his clients for promises of “favorable treatment,” but never delivered.

Haposan also told the court that he had asked Susno to have one of his client’s business partners arrested over a dispute in a Riau fish farm company, and that the “service fee” was paid through Sjahril.

Susno on Thursday described Sjahril as a close friend of former National Police Deputy Chief Makbul Padmanegara, and an influential figure.

“It seemed to me that Sjahril Djohan was given a mandate by the deputy police chief to represent him,” Susno said.

Sjahril is being tried for allegedly brokering a money-laundering case involving tax official Gayus Tambunan, based on a report by Susno. Meanwhile, Susno has been detained for allegedly taking bribes, based on Sjahril’s statements.

According to his indictment, Sjahril has said during police interrogations that he went to Susno’s home and handed him Rp 500 million to help a lawyer win a fish-farm dispute. When asked, Susno said he met Sjahril at his daughter’s home but strongly denied the payment.

Susno said that Makbul was a shareholder in the Riau-based company, according to information shared by Sjahril, but when asked about Sjahril’s role within the National Police, he said he didn’t know. “I never asked about his job inside the police. As far as I knew, he was my superior’s friend, so I had to behave well in front of him,” Susno said.

Sjahril denied all the remarks by Susno as soon as he was given a chance to speak.

When asked by the presiding judge about his visit to Susno’s home, he said: “Yes, I went there with a brown envelope containing Rp 500 million that was accepted by Susno himself.”

Susno responded with outrage and said, referring to the Gayus tax evasion case: “I was the chief of detectives at that time. How stupid would I be, uncovering a case in which I took a bribe?”