Ba'asyir ignores police summons

JAKARTA: Muslim cleric and terror suspect Abu Bakar Ba'asyir refused to show up on Monday for questioning at National Police headquarters, claiming that the summons did not address him directly.

Ba'asyir's lawyer, Achmad Michdan, said the letter was addressed to the warden of Salemba Penitentiary instead of his client.

National Police antiterrorism director Brig. Gen. Pranowo dismissed the claim, saying the letter had been shown to Ba'asyir by the Salemba warden.

Ba'asyir will complete on Thursday the 18-month term he is serving for immigration violations and document fraud, but his implication in terrorist activities may keep him in jail. -- JP