Indonesian militant sentenced to ten years in prison over role in Aceh terror group

[News_Editor]

Indonesian militant sentenced to ten years in prison over role in Aceh terror group

2011-04-28 01:44:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- An Indonesian militant on Wednesday was sentenced to ten years in prison for his involvement in an Aceh terror group and training camp, the Jakarta Globe reported.

Abdullah Sonata, 32, was convicted for his participation in a terrorist organization ion Aceh province, known as al-Qaeda in Aceh. He was accused of organizing the group and facilitating weapons and funds.

The defendant was released from jail in 2009 after being convicted for terrorism. He was freed due to good behavior after being sentenced to seven years of imprisonment for his role in the 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy which killed 10 people.

The al-Qaeda in Aceh cell was discovered in the northern most tip of Sumatra Island in February 2010. The network's alleged operations leader Dulmatin was shot dead by police in March last year.

During trial it was determined that Sonata and Dulmatin met several times after the defendant's 2009 prison release. Under Dulmatin's directions, the terror cell perpetrated the 2002 Bali attacks which resulted in the death of 202 people.

Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Baashir, the alleged spiritual leader of al-Qaeda in Aceh, is currently facing charges funding the terrorist cell with an estimated one billion rupiahs ($900,000).

In February, two other suspects were sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment each for their roles in the terrorist cell. Luthfi Haidaroh, 32, was convicted for his roles as treasurer of Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) which collected funds for the criminal organization.

Furthermore, Komarudin al-Mustaqim, 37, was convicted for being the leader of a terrorist training camp in Aceh Besar. The camp was training individuals to carry out Mumbai-style attacks involving suicide gunmen targeting foreigners, especially from western countries, in Indonesia.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-28