Jakarta. Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency on Friday detained the regent of Cilacap in Central Java during an operation that netted dozens of individuals in an ongoing investigation.

Officers from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained Syamsul Auliya Rachman along with 26 other people during the operation in Cilacap Regency.

Syamsul is the fifth regional leader arrested by the KPK this year. Four others detained earlier in separate corruption cases have already been formally named suspects.

“Correct, today the KPK conducted investigative activities in the Cilacap regency area. The team arrested 27 people, one of whom is the Cilacap regent, and they are currently undergoing intensive questioning there,” KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said in Jakarta.

Budi did not disclose details of the case under investigation, saying the probe remains ongoing. Under Indonesian law, the KPK has 24 hours after an arrest to determine whether to formally name suspects or release those detained.

“The questioning is still ongoing there and they will later be brought to Jakarta for further examination,” Budi said.

Over the past three months, the KPK has arrested several other regional leaders in separate corruption investigations. Those detained include Maidi, mayor of Madiun; Sudewo of Pati Regency; Fadia Arafiq of Pekalongan Regency; and Muhammad Fikri Thobari of Rejang Lebong Regency.

All four are currently awaiting trial in KPK custody.

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