Indonesian Prosecutors on Wednesday officially laid terrorism charges carrying the death penalty against radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir.
Prosecutor Andi Muhammad Taufiq, speaking to reporters at the South Jakarta District Court, said the charges against Bashir, whose detention term had been set to expire next Thursday, had been registered with the court
“The authority on his detention now rests with the district court,” Andi said.
The firebrand cleric was charged with breaching articles 7, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15 of the Anti-Terror Law.
“The maximum punishment is death or life in prison,” Andi said.
The prosecution has prepared as many as 138 witnesses to testify against Bashir, Andi said.
Bashir was also arrested in August last year for allegedly supporting and financing the Aceh group of terrorists. Police have failed in the past to pin terrorism charges on Bashir, and analysts say it is crucial they back up the charges this time, or risk turning Bashir into even more of a martyr.
(Thank you Jak Globe)
wo 2 feb 2011 - 7:40