Anti-terror squad dissolution sought

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI) demanded on Monday the National Police dissolve their special antiterror squad, accusing it of arbitrarily arresting Muslim activists for their alleged involvement in the Jamaah Islamiyah terror group.

MMI chairman Fauzan Al-Anshari said the squad had so far arrested 140 Muslims activists without following proper procedures after the 2002 Bali bombings. He said many were missing.

"We demand the police chief disband the squad because it is useless and only targeting Muslim activists. We find that many have had nothing to do with terrorist activities.

"Besides, they were arrested without following proper legal procedures. Some were even tortured during interrogation," said Fauzan.

The Muslim Lawyers Team met with members of the National Commission on Human Rights last week to demand an inquiry into the alleged torture of Muslim cleric Syaifuddin, who is accused of hiding key suspects in the JW Marriott Hotel bombing last year. -- JP