Terrorists to serve time on Nusakambangan

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto, Central Java

Convicted terrorists will serve their prison terms at a special prison being built on Nusakambangan island in Cilacap regency, Central Java, police said here on Tuesday.

"The special prison is under construction and is expected to be finished this year," Central Java Police Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said in Purwokerto regency.

He said the plan to send all convicted terrorists to Nusakambangan, Indonesia's "Alcatraz" prison, was discussed during a coordinating meeting between police and judges in Central Java.

Didi said that Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Ali Gufron -- who all are all likely to face the death sentence over their alleged key role in the devastating blasts in Bali on Oct. 12, 2002 -- would be sent to Nusakambangan if convicted. Amrozi has already been convicted and sentenced to death.

Big-time corrupters, including president Soeharto's youngest son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra and Soeharto crony Muhammad "Bob" Hasan were sent to the island prison a few years ago to serve their prison terms.

Didi said that two additional prisons would also be built in Nusakambangan -- one for convicted drug dealers and another for other criminals.

The prison for terrorists and the two others will bring the number of prisons on Nusakambangan to seven, he added.

The existing four prisons there accommodate around 700 big- time prisoners, including Tommy and Bob Hasan.

Didi said it would be impossible to place common prisoners alongside convicted terrorists. "That's why we need to build a special prison for them," he added.

Separately, Central Java justice and human rights office head Marsono said the special prison would accommodate at least 100 prisoners and would be a "maximum security" prison with walls to made of concrete blocks and steel.

It will be equipped with sophisticated equipment such as surveillance cameras, he added.

Marsono said the prison had been designed like America's Alcatraz.