Bali bombers claim of being tortured

JAKARTA: The Muslim Lawyer Team (TPM) asked the National Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday to set up a fact-finding team over the alleged torture by the police of Bali bombing suspects Mukhlas and Imam Samudra.

TPM leader Mahendradatta said such a fact-finding team was necessary in case the police ignored the issue.

He said he had obtained the names of the officers who had harassed the two defendants, but would give them to the team.

"The torture was aimed at linking Jamaah Islamiyah leader Abu Bakar Ba'asyir with the (October 2002) Bali bombings," he said.

Mukhlas and Imam Samudra have recently admitted before a court hearing that sensitive parts of their bodies had been hit and tortured. Mukhlas suffered injuries for two weeks as a result.--JP