Verdict on Agus Dwikarna<\/p>\n
From Koran Tempo<\/p>\n
The sentence of 10 years to 17 years' imprisonment passed by
\nthe Pasay City court on Agus Dwikarna for illegally carrying
\nexplosives has become a domestic controversy. Some of the
\ncountry's Islamic groups have voiced the view that the verdict
\nonly serves America's war on terrorism.<\/p>\n
Agus Dwikarna, commander of Laskar Jundullah in Makassar, is
\nseen as a link in a terrorist network in Southeast Asia, based on
\nthe assumption that Jundullah is connected with Majelis
\nMujahiddin Indonesia under Abubakar Ba'asyir. America has
\nasserted that Ba'asyir is part of the al-Qaeda network and a
\nlackey of Osama bin Laden in the region.<\/p>\n
So, it is only proper that the Philippines as an American ally
\njoins the campaign to fight against terrorism. In fact, if the
\nPasay City court is really trapped by America's interests in
\ncombating radical Islamic groups, the Philippine court decision
\nis flawed.<\/p>\n
Conversely, if Judge Henrick Ginggoyon's decision is based on
\nthe inconsistency in Agus' testimony and that of other witnesses,
\nit is difficult for Agus to deny the charge of illegal possession
\nof explosives.<\/p>\n
Agus was obviously inconsistent when he failed to explain to
\nthe court why his business partner from Bangkok with whom he was
\nnewly acquainted, Dr. Prashan, was willing to pay for Agus' trip
\nto the Philippines, when the purpose of the trip was unclear.
\nAgus' guilt was even more convincing as there were no competent
\ntestimonies of witnesses that the explosives had not come from
\nthe suitcase he carried.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the testimony of Agus' business partner in Gen.
\nSantos was different from his own. The partner said the business
\ndiscussed during Agus' visit involved coal. Meanwhile, Agus' own
\nconfession regarding his Southern Philippine trip referred to
\ntuna investment.<\/p>\n
So, if Ginggoyon's sentence was based on dubious statements of
\nwitnesses and inconsistencies in Agus' testimony, the judge's
\ndecision was accurate. The issue no longer concerns speculations
\non whether or not Agus is a terrorist or a member of the al-Qaeda
\nnetwork. Instead, the charge that Agus carried explosives
\nillegally has been convincingly proven.<\/p>\n
His conviction was merely due his failure to prove to the
\ncourt that the explosives were not his, even though they were in
\nhis suitcase.<\/p>\n
HASAN PATRIO<\/p>\n
Cilegon, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/verdict-on-agus-dwikarna-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }