by Mathias Hariyadi

Three terrorists who should have been in prison were near the targeted market. Poso prison chief is among the arrested. Despite intelligence information, the army failed to identify and prevent attacks.

Tentena (AsiaNews) – Three men in prison on terrorist charges were near the market in Tentena—the predominantly Christian town in Central Sulawesi—where two explosions on May 28 killed 20 people, wounding another 50, this according to Central Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Aryanto Sutadi who made the revelations last night in Poso.

Coming as it did, the information is just another perplexing piece concerning how and who is behind the Tentena bombing jigsaw puzzle.

The fact that three detainees were outside their prison raises questions as to how such a thing could happen, making a murky situation even murkier.

The controversy began after the police accidentally stopped a suspicious minivan with four passengers. The four were taken in for questioning after a gun and sharp weapons were found on board.

Poso's Detention Centre chief Hasman, the owner of the seized sharp weapons, was one of the four people detained. The other three were two terrorists— Ahmad Lapariggi and Andi Makassau—and an unidentified woman.

Abdul Kadir, a third terrorist who also should have been behind bars, was also seen near the market and is now wanted by the Indonesian police and military.

Central Sulawesi Police spokesperson Rais Adam said that security forces had identified the Tentena attackers, but still lacked the necessary "evidence before bringing them to justice".

In the meantime, the debate is raging over the authorities' failed pre-emptive action when it is known that they already had information about possible attacks in the area.

The day after the Tentena explosions, armed forces Chief General Endriartono Sutarto said the army already knew about possible bombings at this time, but "had difficulties in locating them and intervening because the information had come from units of the intelligence services".

What is more, speculation is being fuelled by questions concerning the decision of the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan to shut down their diplomatic offices in Jakarta, Surabaya and Medan in the days leading up to the Tentena attacks.

A week ago, Mgr Peter Canisius Mandagi, Bishop of Amboina (Maluku), had warned security officials in Poso and its surrounding area about possible attacks. "I am certain that a single terrorist group is operating in Ambon and Poso," the prelate said.

After meeting leaders from local Churches in Palu, J. Sidabutar, chairman of the Central Sulawesi Christian Churches Forum, called on the government to declare the Tentena attacks a national tragedy. "The number of victims is high, and the socio-politico consequences are imminent," he said.

The double bombing is the worst terror attack since the 2002 Bali explosion that killed 2002 people.

Mgr Yosephus Suwatan, Archbishop of Manada, North Sulawesi, condemned the attack as "an act of terror against humanity" and "ordered all parishes in the archdiocese to offer special prayers for the victims of Tentena".

Tentena, Poso and Palu fall under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Manada. 

• indonesia
• tentena
• islam
• terrorism
• attacks
• christians
• muslims
• violence
• bombs