Suharto Leaves Hospital as Indonesians Debate Charges

JAKARTA, Indonesia —  Former Indonesian President Suharto left the hospital today after receiving more than 10 days of treatment for pneumonia as criticism grew over possible government moves to drop graft charges against him.

The 80-year-old smiled at reporters but did not respond to questions.

Suharto was hospitalized Dec. 17 with pneumonia, but he was also suffering intestinal, liver and kidney problems.

“He is getting better. The pneumonia has gone, and the doctor said there is no more infection,” said Tuti Dwipatmayanti, the spokeswoman at state-run Pertamina hospital.

Suharto’s health problems prompted the Supreme Court this month to state that he could never stand trial. President Megawati Sukarnoputri has been considering whether to drop corruption charges against her onetime nemesis.

But the move has provoked outrage from human rights activists and independent lawyers. Nongovernmental organizations issued a statement Thursday decrying the possible dropping of the charges, which would need parliamentary approval.

The position of Megawati’s party, the parliament’s largest, is unclear on the issue.

Activists have insisted that Suharto be tried in absentia.

Despite having been hounded by Suharto, who feared her political influence, Megawati has been quoted by officials as saying Indonesia needs to treat its former leaders with respect.

Suharto and his family have been accused of corruptly amassing a multibillion-dollar fortune during his rule. All of them have denied any wrongdoing.

The specific charges under review by Megawati cover Suharto’s alleged embezzlement of about $500 million. A court threw out the case last year on health grounds.