Terror suspect denies charges

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