Court extends Rusydan's arrest

JAKARTA: The Jakarta High Court has extended the detention period of defendant Abu Rusydan for another 30 days pending the completion of his trial on charges of harboring a terrorist suspect.

The extension was disclosed in a hearing on Monday at the South Jakarta District Court, as requested by Rusydan's defense team.

"The extension will be effective from Jan. 11 until Feb. 9," presiding judge Mahmoud Rahimi said.

Rusydan is charged with withholding information on the whereabouts of Mukhlas, alias Ali Gufron, who was sentenced to death for his role in the Oct. 2003 Bali bombing.

At Monday's session, Rusydan told the court that he was beaten at the National Police headquarters jail before he was questioned.

The hearing was adjourned until next week to hear the prosecution's recommended sentence. -- JP