Singapore seeks to bring back JI members

Singapore seeks to bring back JI members

Agence France-Presse, Singapore

Singapore is taking steps to have fugitive terrorist suspects in Southeast Asia sent to the city-state for questioning, but is not seeking their extradition, the home ministry said.

The fugitives are believed to be members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a religious group linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and accused of plotting to blow up U.S. and other Western targets here.

Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng told parliament on Tuesday they "fled Singapore" following the arrest of 13 suspected JI members last December.

"They are dispersed and are believed to be in hiding in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and possibly the Philippines. Efforts are being made to bring them back to assist in investigations," he said.

But the minister did not mention extradition nor that negotiations were under way with Indonesia, the home ministry said in a statement on late Thursday.

Singapore has labeled an Indonesian Muslim cleric, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, as the leader of the terrorist organization, but has no extradition treaty with Indonesia.

Replying to an MP's question on efforts being made to bring back Ba'asyir and another fugitive suspect known as Hambali, Wong had replied: "We have discussed this with the Indonesians and they understood what we have on them. But Indonesian law apparently does not currently allow them to take action."

Hambali has been described by Singapore officials as a "deeply anti-American" religious teacher who influenced Islamic militants in Singapore.

The 13 arrested JI members are being held under Singapore's tough Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial.

They are said to have confessed to "terrorism-related" activities and to trying to buy 17 tonnes of ammonium nitrate to make seven huge bombs.