Ba'asyir's detention extended for 40 days
Damar Harsanto and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Prosecutors extended on Wednesday the detention of Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir for another 40 days, saying they need more time to complete his case documents.
National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Wednesday the extension would become effective on Friday, when Ba'asyir's first detention period expires.
"We requested an extension of Ba'asyir's detention last week from the Jakarta Prosecutors Office as his detention period which began on Nov. 2 will expire on Nov. 22," Prasetyo said.
He added that the police would not move Ba'asyir from the Raden Said Soekanto Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, where he has been undergoing treatment since he was forcibly transferred from Muhammadiyah Hospital in the Central Java town of Surakarta last month.
The request for an extension of Ba'asyir's detention contradicted the police's previous statement that they were prepared to submit the case files to the prosecutors in spite of the cleric's refusal to answer police questions.
Ba'asyir, 64, the chairman of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI) was accused of involvement in a series of bombings in 2000, an immigration law violation and a plot to assassinate President Megawati Soekarnoputri in 1999. If convicted, Ba'asyir could face the death sentence.
The court threw out a suit brought by Ba'asyir's last week claiming his arrest was unlawful.
Meanwhile, Ba'asyir's lawyer Ahmad Michdan said on Wednesday the extension of his client's detention did not surprise him.
Ahmad said Ba'asyir's team of lawyers were preparing evidence and witnesses to exonerate Ba'asyir.
"We have three credible witnesses from Malaysia and Indonesia who can testify accurately about Ustad Ba'asyir and refute all accusations leveled against him," said Ahmad, declined to name the witnesses.
Police will submit the case files to the prosecutors once they complete all documents required, Prasetyo said without giving a time frame.