http://www.smh.com.au/news/Global-Terrorism/Australia-and-US-disappointed-at-length-of-Bashirs-sentence/2005/03/03/1109700596253.html
Australia disappointed at length of Bashir's sentence March 3, 2005 - 7:06PM Australians tonight voiced disappointment with the jail term handed to Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir over his role in the Bali bombings, with one victim warning it could spur more terror attacks. Bashir was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail today after a court in Jakarta found him guilty of conspiracy in the Bali bombings that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians. He could be freed before the end of next year. The federal government will tell Indonesian authorities the sentence is too short but stressed it was Jakarta's decision whether to appeal. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Sky News the government was disappointed by the length of the term and hoped it would be appealed. "We'd have liked a longer sentence and we would hope the prosecution might consider appealing against the sentence," he said. Bashir will be out of prison in less than two years after consideration is given to the 10 months he has already spent in jail. AdvertisementAdvertisement Mr Downer said it was a concern that Bashir, seen as the spiritual head of terrorist organisation Jemaah Islamiah, would be out so soon. "He is without any doubt a spiritual inspiration to Jemaah Islamiah in Indonesia and Jemaah Islamiah is linked up with al-Qaeda and other terrorist networks," he said. "There's no doubt about Abu Bakar Bashir's role and we've taken some comfort from the fact that he's been in jail now for some period of time." Blast victim Peter Hughes, who survived after suffering burns to 54 per cent of his body, said terrorists could be encouraged by the light term. "That doesn't send a message to anyone ... two years is nothing in the scheme of things," he said. "It affected 21 different countries, let alone Indonesia, and I tend to think he has got off extremely lightly. "It just sends a message to his followers to keep doing it." However, Mal Ward, secretary of the Coogee Dolphins rugby league club, which lost six members in the bombing, said he was at least glad that Bashir had been found guilty of some crime. "The sentence I don't think really fits the crime but then again I thought he would actually get off so I'm glad somethings happened," he told ABC radio. Labor dubbed the sentence inadequate but said it was not the fault of the Indonesian government, which had no control over the courts. Opposition foreign spokesman Kevin Rudd urged Australians travelling in Indonesia to be vigilant in the wake of the verdict. "Jemaah Islamiah regrettably remains alive and well in South-East Asia and remains a continuing threat to the security of Australians and Indonesians," he said. A spokeswoman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said there was no immediate change to the travel advisory to Indonesia, which suggests Australians defer non-essential travel. "Our travel assessments are always under review and we will be monitoring the situation," she said. Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty, whose staff worked closely with the Indonesians following the bombings, said it was a significant conviction. "(It) demonstrates the tenacity and professionalism of the Indonesian National Police who have worked tirelessly to link Abu Bakar Bashir to the Bali bombing," Mr Keelty said through a spokesman. "The AFP is aware that the sentence may cause some concern to the victims and their families." AAP ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give underprivileged students the materials they need to learn. 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