Police arrest bodyguard of Suharto's fugitive son

Police in Indonesia have arrested a former bodyguard and business associate of the fugitive son of former President Suharto.

Police Col Harry Montolalu said officers raided Indra Hasan's home early on Saturday morning and arrested him for illegal possession of a pistol.

Indra Hasan worked as a personal bodyguard for Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for corruption but has been missing since police issued a warrant for his arrest two months ago. He also headed two of Tommy's numerous businesses.

Last week, police seized a third house belonging to Tommy, who has failed to pay fines of about $3.5m in connection with the corruption conviction.

The Supreme Court sentenced Tommy to 18 months in prison in September for a 1997 real estate scam that cost the government $6m.

President Suharto is himself accused of stealing at least $583m in government money to bankroll businesses controlled by his cronies and children.

In September, a court ruled that President Suharto was too ill to face trial. prosecutors have appealed the verdict.