Ba'asyir set to challenge lifetime sentence demand

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 05/25/2011


Terrorism defendant Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is set to read out his defense statement at the South Jakarta District Court Wednesday morning to challenge a lifetime jail sentence demanded by prosecutors.

"The defense statement is themed Upholding Tauhid (one God) and eradicating Syirik (associating others with God),", said Sonhadi, the media relation head of Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT), an organization led by Ba'asyir.

According to prosecutors, Ba'asyir has been proven to endorse the collection of funds for a military-style terrorist training activity in Aceh and encourage people to join the camp.