Ba'asyir moves to new, cool cell<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, 65, was transferred from National
\nPolice Headquarters to his air-conditioned cell at Jakarta Police
\nHeadquarters on Friday. Soon after arriving at his new residence
\nin a Nissan Terrano car he waved and smiled broadly.<\/p>\n
City police detective chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang and
\nother detectives greeted Ba'aysir before gesturing him inside the
\ncomfortable detention center, ignoring the presence of reporters.<\/p>\n
Ba'asyir's lawyer Mahendradatta arrived carrying some of the
\ncleric's belongings, including a small suitcase and a towel
\nhanger, into the detention center.<\/p>\n
For the time being, Ba'asyir is the only occupant of the newly
\nrenovated detention center, which has five large air-conditioned
\nbedrooms with new spring beds -- including one main bedroom with
\nan en suite -- a dining room and a living room. The total cost of
\nthe renovation has not been made available.<\/p>\n
Minutes before Ba'asyir arrived, Jakarta Police chief Insp.
\nGen. Makbul Padmanagara said the detention center would
\naccommodate senior citizens detained at the headquarters. He
\ndenied the building would be used exclusively for terrorist
\nsuspects.<\/p>\n
\"It's for elderly detainees, because we assume they will need
\nspecial attention. For example, most of them need to go to the
\ntoilet frequently,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both the National Police and the city police insisted that
\nthey were not giving the cleric special treatment.<\/p>\n
Ba'asyir is in police detention over his alleged involvement
\nin international terrorism.<\/p>\n
The cleric had been released on April 30 after serving an 18-
\nmonth sentence at Salemba Penitentiary for immigration violations
\nand document fraud. Minutes later, he was arrested again for
\nalleged links to terrorism.<\/p>\n
Ba'asyir's rearrest was protested by many of his followers,
\nincluding dozens of members of Islamic youth organizations in
\nMedan, North Sumatra, on Friday. They demanded National Police
\nchief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar release the cleric soon, Antara
\nreported.<\/p>",
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