Behind Ba'asyir's verdict

Behind Ba'asyir's verdict

From Koran Tempo

The recent Central Jakarta district court's verdict of four
years in prison on Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, chairman of Majelis
Mujahidin Indonesia, has invited political comments and
reactions, which is not surprising in view of Ba'asyir's fairly
controversial case.

Various circles linked the case with an "order" from the U.S.,
which is now actively campaigning for a war against terrorism.
Ba'asyir's own defense counsel, comprising dozens of attorneys,
turned their legal arguments into religious sentiments.

As a Muslim, I certainly cannot accept any court decision
resulting from U.S. government pressure on Indonesia. But both
the court and the defense counsel have no way of proving this. So
we should avoid speculation as it may mislead us to slanderous
statements.

The rallying of masses by Ba'asyir's supporters to exert
pressure when the court read out its verdict was unsympathetic
and spoiled the image of Muslims. Their rejection of the court
decision on Ba'asyir's case was emotional, disregarding legal and
political decency.

The court failed to prove the charges that Ba'asyir is a
leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, consented to terrorist acts and
masterminded the planned murder of President Megawati, indicating
that the trial was fair. Ba'asyir was found guilty of involvement
in treason but not as a mastermind. Therefore, his four-year
prison term is moderate.

Ba'asyir and his supporters still have the chance of filing an
appeal, but no parties are allowed to impose pressure on the
court. Court trial deserves proper respect and the Jakarta high
court of appeal should remain independent in revealing truth.

ANHAR MUCHLIS
Jakarta