Jakarta. An attorney for Mario Dandy Satriyo, who is awaiting trial for assaulting a teenager, suspected the presence of an impostor claiming to be a member of the defense team.

Basri Dundu said on Sunday an unidentified person has attempted to visit Mario at the Jakarta Police’s detention facility as the trial is imminent.

"This person claimed that he is a lawyer for Mario Dandy at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters. We have signed documents on our appointment as the attorneys for the upcoming trial at the South Jakarta District Court,” Basri said.

He stressed that it’s very unlikely his client has appointed a new defense team because communication at the detention facility is restricted.

The February 19 attack drew national attention after reports emerged that Mario is the son of a high-ranking tax official, triggering public inquiry into the family’s background.

The victim, 17-year-old David Ozora, has been at the hospital since he was brutally punched and kicked in the head by Mario while lying on the ground motionlessly in the one-sided confrontation that drew public outrage. 

David is paralyzed by the attack and has not left the hospital since. He also has difficulties communicating with other people.

Mario is accused of assault and battery that carries a prison sentence of up to 12 years. His trial is expected to begin at the end of this month.

In the wake of the attack, internet users exposed Mario’s lavish lifestyle. They found that he had posted pictures and videos of luxury cars and motorcycles on his social media accounts.

Soon public attention turned to his father, Rafael Alum Sembodo, and it emerged that the tax official has more than Rp 55 billion worth of personal wealth.

The anti-money laundering agency also found suspicious transactions worth hundreds of billions of rupiah involving the taxman.

Rafael was summoned by the Corruption Eradication Commission for undeclared assets and a further investigation revealed that he kept cash in foreign currencies worth Rp 32 billion.

Rafael was named a corruption suspect and detained last week.

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