JI linked with Marriott blast
JI linked with Marriott blast
Damar Harsanto and Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post
Jakarta/Makassar
Police say the ongoing investigation into the JW Marriot Hotel
bomb attack is pointing towards the involvement of the Jamaah
Islamiyah (JI) regional terrorist network.
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Friday that
police had a list and photographs of suspects linked to JI, the
Islamic-based network believed responsible for the devastating
Bali bombings.
Da'i, speaking prior to meeting the House of Representatives'
Commission I on defense, pointed to similarities between the
Marriott and Bali bombings.
The similarities included the explosives used, the fact the
bomb was triggered by a mobile phone and that the terrorists had
removed the engine and chassis numbers from the car used as a
bomb, as they had done in Bali.
"We found a pattern that was specifically similar to Bali
bombings. The engine and chassis numbers of the car (used in the
bombings) have been erased by grinding," he said.
Police claimed they already have names and pictures of the
suspects.
"We have known the group, who they are. Those who have been
arrested told police that they were from the same group," said
Da'i.
Police say detained JI terror suspects told them they had
recruited the suicide bomber.
Despite all the information, Da'i said police had had trouble
finding the suspects because they were using advanced
communications technology that could not be traced.
"The Bali terrorists used communications equipment that
enabled us to trace them."
In Makassar, Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil said the
police results and information from intelligence sources showed
the suspects in the latest bombing, which claimed 10 lives and
left 149 others injured, were JI members.
"I'm very sure that JI was behind the Marriott bombing. If
police have yet to announce it publicly to date, maybe it is
because they still have to start (the investigation) from the
crime scene," he told reporters.
Matori recalled the arrest of nine suspected JI members in
several cities in Java. Those arrested suspects admitted to
police investigators that they had planned to launch attacks to
several strategic places in Jakarta.
Police also seized detonators, TNT, weapons and documents
during the arrest.
Matori recalled the arrest of nine suspected JI members in
several cities in Java. Those arrested suspects admitted to
police investigators that they had planned to launch attacks on
several strategic sites in Jakarta.
Police also seized detonators, TNT, weapons and documents
during the arrest.
National Police criminal investigation chief Insp. Gen. Erwin
Mappaseng said the suicide bomber had been identified as Asmar
Latin Sani, 28. His reconstructed head, which had been blown up
to the fifth floor of the hotel in the blast, had aided in the
identification.
"(His face) was identified by two arrested JI members, Sardono
Siliwangi and Mohammad Rais. They recognized the specific
features of a scar on his temple and a mole on his neck when we
showed them the picture," he said.
Police alleged that Asmar, of Padang origin but living in
Bengkulu, was the driver of the Toyota Kijang minivan laden with
explosives and gasoline.
Erwin said that Aswar was a member of the Pekanbaru-Medan
group who was allegedly involved in the Christmas bombings in
2000 in Pekanbaru, Riau, and Medan, North Sumatra.
Police will compare Asmar's DNA with his family members to
confirm the identity.
"The group (in which Sardono and Rais are members) is really a
smaller terrorist group, part of the Bali gang," Erwin said,
referring to the Bali bombers who killed 202 people, mostly
foreigners.
The identity of the suspected bomber was also confirmed by
Asmar's younger sister, Amanda. She recognized the scar caused by
an accident five years ago, Erwin said.