by Mathias Hariyadi

The sentence against the radical Muslim leader on trial for terrorism is expected tomorrow. If convicted, he could get life in prison. Thousands of his supporters are expected. Police is patrolling crowded public areas.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesian police is on maximum alert because of the high risk of attacks. Police Chief General Timur Pradopo issued the order, following threats sent via SMS and other media.

Threats have increased in recent days as the verdict in the trial of radical Muslim leader Abu Bakar Bashir gets near. The decision is expected for tomorrow in the South Jakarta District Court.

Bashir, 72, is accused of giving US$ 62,000 to al qaeda-linked terrorist groups in Aceh. He has always rejected the charges, blaming instead the United States and its allies of using him as a scapegoat. If he is found guilty, he could get a life sentence.

Bashir was previously convicted in connection with the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people and wounded many more, and sentenced to two and half years in prison. He was released after 26 months for food behaviour.

In recent weeks, police have detained scores of terrorist suspects, thought to belong to Bashir’s organisation, Jeemah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT). Eighteen people have been arrested in Poso (Central Sulawesi), Jakarta and other cities of Central Java

Basher has denied claims that JAT was involved in acts of terrorism, financed attacks or funded paramilitary training camps in Aceh.

The police believe that some of the people it recently arrested organised attacks against the police itself. These attacks were “revenge attacks” for Bashir’s arrest, Inspector General Anton Bachrul Alam said.

The people now held claim they are members of radical Muslim group Jemaah Islamiyah, Alam said, adding that they espouse radical ideas and underwent paramilitary training in Poso last year.

Two of the 18 shot at police in Palu on 25 May, killing two people and wounding a third.

Thousands of Bashir supporters are expected at the sentence hearing, especially from Surakata, Central Java, home to Bashir’s pesantren or Islamic school.

At least 2,500 police agents will be deployed in and around the courthouse.

Although threats name police as possible targets, the authorities believe that public buildings and crowded places like hotels and shopping malls are at greater risk.

• indonesia
• bashir
• trial
• terrorism
• threats
• violence
• muslim
• extremists