http://www.smh.com.au/world/bashir-proof-is-strong-say-police-20100810-11y4m.html
Bashir proof is strong, say police TOM ALLARD HERALD CORRESPONDENT August 11, 2010 JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities insist they have compelling proof that Islamic preacher Abu Bakar Bashir was instrumental in the formation of a new terrorist group, expressing confidence he will not evade serious charges as he has done in the past. They also confirmed that the Australian embassy in Jakarta - damaged by a car bomb in 2004 - was one of many potential targets of the new cell, although playing down fears there were any serious plans to strike it again. Mr Bashir is notorious for his praise of jihadists and co-founding the militant group Jemaah Islamiah. He was arrested on Monday after raids over the weekend that uncovered a bomb-making ''factory'' and led to the arrests of five other Bashir associates. ''They [police] have very strong evidence against him,'' said Ansyaad Mbai, who holds a cabinet-level position as the head of Indonesia's agency for counter-terrorism. Mr Bashir has been under intensive investigation for his links to the terror cell after its training camp was discovered and disrupted in Aceh in February. Police have alleged Mr Bashir not only organised the funding for the cell and the camp but appointed the renowned terrorist Dulmatin as its field commander, as well as other key personnel. The Indonesian daily Kompas reported that Mr Bashir was shown a video of the military-style facility before the February raids and was told by an associate, Ubeid, that it was the proof that his money was well spent. Mr Ubeid, who was a member of Mr Bashir's new organisation, Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid, and knew the slain terrorist mastermind Noordin Top, was arrested earlier this year. It is believed there are at least five witnesses who police have convinced to testify against Mr Bashir. Whether those witnesses continue to co-operate until Mr Bashir appears in court remains problematic however, although Indonesian police also have other evidence, Mr Ansyaad said. A police source said the Australian embassy, along with two other foreign missions and two luxury hotels in Jakarta, was on a ''wish list''. More advanced were plans to bomb Jakarta's police headquarters and the barracks of its mobile brigade in West Java. The Aceh cell also had an earlier plot to assassinate the Indonesian President. Mr Bashir has yet to be charged and police have until Monday to do so. The preacher, 71, said he was innocent. Source: The Age [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
