Death sentence sought for Maluku terrorist

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

Prosecutors told a court on Thursday a suspect in two separate attacks in Maluku province that left nine people dead, including five police officers, should die for his actions.

The defendant, Asep Djaja, along with four other accomplices, planned and carried out an attack on a neighborhood in Wamkana, Buru regency, in May last year, prosecutors said. The attackers sprayed gunfire on a neighborhood near Wamkana beach from a boat for 15 minutes, killing three people.

Prosecutors said Asep, a militant Muslim, was also involved in planning and executing another attack on a post manned by Mobile Brigade police personnel in Loki, West Seram regency, in May 2005. They said Asep, along with eight other people, including some from the earlier attack in Wamkana, attacked the post, killing five officers and a civilian.

The prosecution said the deadly attacks spread fear in Maluku and those responsible had to be punished to the full extent of the law.

Asep denied that he played any role in planning the attacks.

The trial was adjourned until Jan. 11 at which time the defense will respond to the charges and sentence demand.

Asep is a veteran of the religious conflicts in Poso and Ambon, and reportedly attended a military-style training camp for Muslim extremists in Mindanao, the Philippines, in October 2001. He is also said to have maintained strong links with several militant organizations.

He made it onto the police's wanted list after allegedly murdering Antonious Rolly Roring in Manado, North Sulawesi, in 2001. Rolly was murdered after leading several protests against Osama bin Laden following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Asep is the first person to be tried for the attacks on the neighborhood in Wamkana and the police outpost in West Seram. Several other suspects in the attacks have been arrested but are still awaiting trial.