A Guernsey court on Monday approved an application by the Indonesian government to freeze tens of millions of dollars allegedly hidden illegally on the island by Hutomo Mandala Putra, the youngest son of the country’s former dictator, Suharto.

Jakarta’s action is an intervention granted by the Channel Island royal court in a case where Garnet Investment, incorporated in the British Virgin islands and owned by Mr Hutomo – known as Tommy Suharto – is suing a branch of BNP Paribas for refusing to release at least €36m ($45.6m, £23.5m) and perhaps as much as €75m from its account.