Police to search Thailand for terrorist

JAKARTA: The police might go to Thailand to look for links between foreign terrorists and a former Army soldier they arrested for allegedly masterminding a series of bombings in Jakarta, National Police Chief Da'i Bachtiar said on Thursday.

"We're developing the possibility whether there is indeed an international (terrorist) network since the fact shows that the person went to Thailand," Da'i told reporters.

On Tuesday the police arrested former soldier Ramli, an Acehnese they believed masterminded the bombings of several shopping centers and churches in Jakarta in 2000 and 2001. Six others were also arrested on the same charges.

Da'i said Ramli's passport showed he traveled to Thailand. The latter earlier claimed he met friends there. "Of course we would like to know what he did and whom he met there," said Da'i.

Police said that Ramli might have links to the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), which is fighting for its independence. -- JP