Baashir is accused with treason

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (IslamOnline.net) - The much awaited trial of Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Baashir, who is accused of leading the Jama'ah Islamiyah (JI) group, started Wednesday, April 23, amid a massive security clampdown and a backdrop of conspiracy theories.

Baashir is charged with attempting to topple the Indonesian government through a ‘terror’ campaign and to set up an Islamic state, there is no accusation of his participation in specific cases such as the bombing of churches in the year 2000 and he is also not accused of the Bali bombing case.

The prosecution has decided that the Islamic leader be accused of treason, which carries a death sentence or life imprisonment.

On Tuesday, April 22, Jakarta saw a demonstration in favor of Baashir when 2000 students from different institutions went down the streets with banners calling for the freedom of the Islamic leader.

Baashir has called on Islamic groups not to create trouble in Indonesia because of his arrest and detention. He added Tuesday that the truth will come out during the trial.

A deafening shout of "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) came from supporters as the elderly white-bearded cleric entered the packed court, reported Antara news agency Wednesday.

A bomb squad swept the courtroom before the hearing began and some 500 regular and paramilitary police guarded the building. Spectators walked through metal detectors and were body-searched.

Police barricaded the approach road to the court, the case is said to be one of the most important test of democracy in Indonesia.

Lawyers close to the Baashir group told IslamOnline.net that the prosecution is basing its case on hearsay evidence and that the police had no proof of the involvement of the 64 years old leader in any acts of terrorism.

Baashir is alleged to be the leader or 'emir' of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) regional network, which is suspected of staging the Bali bombings last October and of other bloody attacks.

Prosecutors said the cleric in 1993 co-founded 'an organization called Jama'atul minal-Muslimin or al Jamaah al Islamiah.'

He is 'the leader and organizer of treason with the intention of overthrowing the government, namely to realize plans to establish an Islamic State of Indonesia,' said chief prosecutor Hasan Madani.

Asked by the judges if he understood the charges, Baashir replied: 'Yes, God willing.'

When asked if he would submit a defense plea, he said: 'Later. I don't accept the charges.'

The indictment says Baashir authorized the Christmas Eve bombings of churches and priests in 2000 which killed 19 people in Indonesia.

He is said to have approved a plot to bomb U.S. interests in Singapore which was foiled with the arrest of 13 JI suspects there.

The white-bearded cleric is also accused of ordering the assassination of current President Megawati Sukarnoputri when she was still vice-president.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested 18 alleged members of JI, including a Malaysian, in raids throughout Indonesia, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday according to Antara.

Da'i said the Malaysian, identified as Nadar Abas, believed to be JI's regional leader, was arrested on Tuesday in Bantar Gebang, Bekasi, West Java.

He said Abas was believed involved in a number of bombing attacks across the country, Antara reported.

He said police also seized several guns and ammunition from the men, indicating that the suspects were planning another bombing.

JI's alleged spiritual leader is Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Baashir, who is now being tried for treason in Jakarta.