Al-Ghozi admits role in Manila bombing, denies bin Laden link

Al-Ghozi admits role in Manila bombing, denies bin Laden link

Reuters, Manila

An Indonesian man who confessed to bombing Manila airport in 2000
told Philippine prosecutors on Wednesday that he was a member of
a radical religious group with reach across Southeast Asia, but
denied knowing Osama bin Laden.

Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi appeared at the Department of Justice
to answer charges of murder and attempted murder arising from a
series of bombings in Manila in December 200O which killed 22
people and injured more than 100.

"Jemaah Islamiah," the slim, bearded, 31-year-old said when
asked by a panel of prosecutors which organization he belonged
to.

He said he knew bin Laden "only by name" and did not know if
the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group had links with other organizations
around the world.

Al-Ghozi did not elaborate on JI's activities but said in
sworn statements he gave police last month the group believed in
waging Jihad (holy war) and in setting up "an Islamic state
similar to Prophet Mohammad used to do".

The JI is a clandestine organisation suspected of possible
links with bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network, prime suspects in
the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Singapore has detained 12 of its citizens and one Malaysian
for allegedly plotting to bomb U.S. targets in the city state,
while Malaysia has arrested dozens of suspects.

Both countries say the detainees have links to al-Qaeda.

Al-Ghozi was in handcuffs and guarded by two soldiers armed
with assault rifles when he appeared before prosecutors.

"Remove his handcuffs. He will not run...He is not carrying a
grenade," prosecutor Peter Ong ordered the guards as the
Indonesian sat down before the prosecution panel.

Al-Ghozi was arrested in Manila in January after a tip-off
from Singapore authorities.

Since his detention, Al-Ghozi has executed four different
affidavits, the latest on Feb. 16 in which he recanted on some of
his previous statements.

In his Feb. 16 statement, Al-Ghozi said: "The truth is that I
was the one who planned the bombings which occurred on December
30, 2000 in Metro Manila in which many people were killed and
injured and property destroyed."

Shown by prosecutors a copy of his statement, Al-Ghozi
admitted it was his signature which appeared on the documents but
when asked if he understood its contents he said, through an
Indonesian interpreter: "In general, but not in detail."

On questioning, he said he was only involved in the bombing of
the Manila airport, in which six people were injured, and not in
the other bombings in the Philippine capital.

He said he and at least four other people, believed to be
still at large, were involved in planning the attacks but that he
told them he would like it done "if possible in areas where there
are no people."

The 2000 bombings were planned by the group to avenge military
attacks ordered by then president Joseph Estrada against Moro
rebel bases on southern Mindanao island, in which many civilians
were affected, he said.