West Java bombing mastermind admits his role, probe continues

BANDUNG (JP): Iqbal, one of suspects in the December bombings in Bandung, claimed to be the mastermind and coordinator of the bombings in West Java, a police officer said here on Friday.

The West Java Police detective chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sardjono told reporters that Iqbal's claim was made after being cross- examined through a lie detector for two hours.

Aceng Suhari (55), another suspect, was also interrogated.

"Both Aceng and Iqbal showed no signs of deception when answering 90 questions each," Sardjono said.

The two sometimes gave inconsistent answers, Sardjono said, citing Aceng, who said yes and no when asked if he knew about the bombing plan.

"Iqbal's statements, anyhow, need to be further studied. He claimed that he no one had ordered him to plant the explosives," Sardjono said, believing that Iqbal (40) was covering for others by taking the blame.

Sardjono also said that cross checks would also be made with two people who had been detained over the Sukabumi blast. The two were released last week due to lack of evidence.

Aceng and Iqbal were arrested in the town of Brebes in Central Java on Tuesday. They were among eight suspects in connection with the Christmas eve bomb attacks.

The other suspects are Roni Miliar, Agus Kurniawan, Fachrozi and three other people identified by the initials ES, LI and F, who were arrested in North Sumatra on Jan. 11.

Roni Miliar and Agus Kurniawan had earlier stated that Iqbal had preached to them about the "spirit of Jihad and the suffering of Muslims in Ambon, Maluku".

Aceng was the owner of the workshop on Jl. Terusan Jakarta, Bandung, where bombs exploded, killing four on Jan. 24 afternoon.

Other bombs exploded in Pangandaran and Sukabumi (West Java), Pekanbaru and Batam (Riau), Medan (North Sumatra), Mojokerto (East Java) and Jakarta after the blast at Aceng's workshop.

At least 18 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in the incidents.

Aceng had disappeared since then until police found him in Brebes on Jan. 16.

After Friday's questioning, Aceng told reporters that Iqbal had victimized him. He admitted to knowing Iqbal's plan, but he didn't report it to the police.

New suspects

Meanwhile, West Java Police chief Isnp. Gen. Yun Mulyana said that three more people have been named suspects in the West Java bombings.

"Pendi, Piping and Maman were named suspects after the detectives questioned 10 more people, who were supposed to be witnesses," Mulyana said, adding that the 10 people were from Ciamis and Banjar.

"The new suspects are the owners of the house used by Aceng and Iqbal in Brebes to hide in. They allegedly helped fugitives Aceng and Iqbal and let the two stay in their house."

The house is located at Bentarsari village in Salem district, Brebes.

The witnesses said they knew of Aceng and Iqbal's activities, including their plan to set bombs in Bandung and a resort area of Pangandaran. "Some of the witnesses said they had met Holis, who is wanted over the Pangandaran blast."

Nana, one of the witnesses told reporters that Iqbal had asked him to remove small moles on his nose in his effort to change his appearance. (25/sur)