Ba'asyir moved to Salemba prison

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who is awaiting trial for treason, was transferred from the National Police detention center to Salemba detention center in Central Jakarta on Friday under the escort of at least 60 police officers.

The transfer was made after the Central Jakarta District Court granted a request by his team of lawyers, led by Mahendradatta, who complained that his cell at the police headquarters was too crowded.

Ba'asyir was staying in the same block as women detainees, and shared a bathroom with them, the lawyers said.

The lawyers also complained that they found it difficult to meet their client owing to the many restrictions set by the police.

During the transfer, Ba'asyir was accompanied by Mahendradatta and prosecutors Ramdanu and Hasan Madani.

Ba'asyir, who is also the leader of the radical Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), is being tried on charges of treason and violating the Immigration Law.

Police also allege that Ba'asyir is the spiritual leader of Jamaah Islamiyah, which is thought to be the Southeast Asian cell of al-Qaeda terrorist network. Jamaah Islamiyah is believed to be behind the Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.