Indonesian Islamic cleric faces death penalty on terrorism charges

[News_Editor]

Indonesian Islamic cleric faces death penalty on terrorism charges

2010-12-14 00:23:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- An Indonesian Islamic cleric now faces the death penalty after new terror charges were brought against him, officials said on Monday.

72-year-old Abu Bakar Bashir, who is the suspected leader of a terrorist paramilitary training facility in the Aceh province of Sumatra, has been charged with at least five articles within Indonesia's anti-terrorism laws.

The most serious of those charges is the mobilizing of people for acts of terrorism, which carries the death penalty if convicted, explained Mohammed Yusuf, the South Jakarta chief prosecutor.

Prosecutors brought dozens of firearms and several documents as evidence of Bashir's activity, which also included the alleged financing of the training facility in Aceh.

"We've verified the evidence, including handguns, rifles, ammunition for various firearms such as AK-47s and M-16s, recorded phone conversations, money and copies of bank transfers," Yusuf said. "We've also interrogated the suspect - he was fit and able to answer questions. He signed a statement protesting his interrogation and arrest."

Bashir previously served 26 months in jail for conspiracy in relation to the 2002 Bali terrorist attacks, in which 202 people were killed. However, Bashir was released in 2006 when his conviction was overturned.

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