Terror suspect denies charges

JAKARTA: Defendant Husni Rijal alias Ilham Sopandi denied on Tuesday his involvement in terrorist activities and his knowledge of the identity of fellow suspect and brother of Riduan Ishamuddin alias Hambali, Rusman Gunawan.

"I am just a student, who was arrested due to my friendship with Gun Gun (Rusman)," Husni said, in his defense at the Central Jakarta District Court.

Husni said that knew Gun Gun as the two attended the same university, in Karachi, Pakistan, but he had known him only by his alias, Abdul Hadi. Only after his capture -- along with Gun Gun and four other students -- did it become clear that Gun Gun was Hambali's sibling.

Prosecutors also charged Husni with the use of a fake identity card and passport under the name Ilham Sopandi. Husni said it was his nickname as a student at the Islamic boarding school al- Mukmin, in Sukoharjo, Central Java -- which was run by alleged JI spiritual leader Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. -- JP