TERRORISM: Abu Bakar Bashir Faces New Terrorism Charges

Militant Indonesian Islamic Cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir will be formally indicted over the bombing of Jakata"s Marriott Hotel last year that killed 12 people. If found guilty he could face the death penalty. Bashir has been linked to Jemaah Islamiyah otherwise known as J.I. and has been in Indonesian custody for over a year. He has also been linked to the 2002 Bali bombing which claimed 202 lives.


The indictment, which is 65 pages long, contains information claiming that Bashir incited others to terrorism and planned terrorism. Bashir is also accused of providing information to terrorist and withholding information about certain acts.

Bashir has openly described Osama bin Laden as a "true muslim fighter". Bashir states that this is an attempt to "smear his name by enemies of Islam." Bashir is not being charged with the Australian embassy bombing, but is linked with the Bali bombing and the attack of the Marriot Hotel in Jarkarta, where 9 people died.


[edit on 15-10-2004 by Banshee]

Bashir will now be charged over the 2002 Bali bombing.

The indictment, instead of suggesting "terrorism", states the cleric caused fires or explosions in the Bali's Sari Club and Paddy's Bar in 2002 that resulted in the death and injury of around 200 people.

Prosecutors say that various instructions given to the bombers leading up to the attacks amounted to him inciting the attack on Bali, specifying conversations with convicted Bali bombing leader Amrozi.

Abu Bashir was already formally charged with terrorism in the dossier, stating he ordered his followers to launch a suicide attack on the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta last year and heading Jemaah Islamiah, the al-Qaeda-linked group also blamed for last month's Australian Embassy blast.

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Sanc'.

[edit on 16-10-2004 by sanctum]