Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained 15 employees including a warden on Friday for allegedly taking bribes from inmates. The mass detention of its own employees marks an unprecedented move never happened before in KPK’s history.

Achmad Fauzi, a warden at the KPK’s detention facility, is the highest-ranking official among the 15 suspects -- most of whom are part-time security guards.

"The KPK leadership board extends our apology to all Indonesian people. We take full responsibility for this case and ensure that we implement a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption within our institution," KPK Commissioner Nurul Ghufron told reporters at his office in Jakarta.

The suspects are accused of collecting money from graft convicts imprisoned at the KPK facility in exchange for various privileges, such as access to telecommunication and charging devices, as well as providing advance notice of unscheduled inspections at the prison.

The bribes ranged from Rp 300,000 to Rp 20 million ($19 - $1,279), according to KPK Investigation Director Asep Guntur. Inmates who could not afford to pay faced punitive measures, including being locked out, restricted outdoor exercise time, and increased cleaning duties.

The illicit funds were allegedly deposited into a bank account and distributed to prison officials on a monthly basis, with the amount varying based on their ranks. For example, the warden received Rp 10 million per month, as per the investigation.

The other 14 suspects have been identified as Hengki, Deden Rochendi, Sopian Hadi, Ristanta, Ari Rahman Hakim, Agung Nugroho, Eri Angga Permana, Muhammad Ridwan, Suharlan, Ramadhan Ubaidilah, Mahdi Aris, Wardoyo, Muhammad Abduh, and Ricky Rachmawanto.

They were detained at separate locations with none of them held at the KPK’s detention facility guarded by colleagues, Asep said.

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