ABC AUSTRALIA, 24/04/2003 05:44:02
Alleged new Jemaah Islamiah head arrested
Indonesian police say they have arrested a man whom they have identified as the new
spiritual leader of the radical Islamic group, Jemaah Islamiah.
Police say Abu Rusdan has been taken into custody in central Java.
His arrest coincides with the opening of a treason trial involving Abu Bakar Bashir, the
man believed to have been the previous spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah.
Indonesian police say they have also made 17 other arrests, including several
suspects wanted for the Bali bombings.
The suspects include a man named Wayan whose photofit was released last year.
Tim Palmer reports: "Wayan also known as Umar was one of the first group of
suspects named by police investigating the Bali bombings last year. It's believed he
may have scouted the target and helped assemble the bomb. He was arrested in Java
along with Nasir Abbas the man accused by Indonesian police of being the
commander of the 3rd Manitiqi or division of Jemaah Islamiah, covering parts of the
Philippines, Malaysia and Northern Indonesian provinces. South of Jakarta, police
arrested Syawab, a man also suspected of helping to assemble the Bali bombs.
Another 12 men were arrested in Central Sualwesi, among them Nasir Abbas's deputy
and a man named Saad alias Ahmad Rohim, also wanted for some time by police in
connection with the Bali attack."
24/04/2003 05:44:02 | ABC Radio Australia News
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