[JURIST] An Indonesian government official said Thursday that corruption charges against former dictator General Suharto [Wikipedia backgrounder] are expected to be dropped despite criticism from human rights groups, including the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation [advocacy website], which has been outspoken in the pursuit of action against the former dictator. Suharto, 84, who has suffered a series of strokes and other health problems since 1998, has been declared unfit to stand trial [JURIST report] after several examinations. Numerous government officials still support Suharto and have pushed for him to be pardoned because of his ill health and past contributions to Indonesia [JURIST news archive].

Suharto was ousted from power after 32 years in 1998 amid violent protests against his three-decade dictatorship that used security forces to stifle dissent and allegedly embezzled billions [BBC report] of government dollars. AP has more. The Jakarta Post has local coverage.