Paras Indonesia, 10, 04 2005 @ 06:24 pm
Bombings a Warning From God: Baasyir
Roy Tupai
Radical cleric Abu Bakar Baasyir, imprisoned for his role in the October 2002 Bali
bombings, says the latest bombings on the resort island that killed 22 people and left
over 100 wounded were a warning from God.
"These events essentially are a warning from Allah to all of us for not obeying enough
of his teachings," he was quoted as saying on Tuesday (4/10/05) by Reuters.
He said the injured victims and the relatives of those killed in the October 1 suicide
bombings at three restaurants should "accept this fate from Allah".
Nevertheless, in a written statement released by his assistant, Baasyir said he
condemned the attacks because innocent people had died.
"I very much disagree with any bombings, regardless of the reasons, in safe areas
which are aimed at sacrificing the innocent… I am sorry for the bombing victims, who
essentially know nothing, especially the Muslims," he said.
Baasyir is the alleged spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been blamed
for a series of deadly bombings and is suspected of masterminding the latest attacks.
The cleric was in March 2005 sentenced to 30 months in jail for involvement in a
"sinister conspiracy" to carry out the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202
people, mostly foreign tourists. His sentence was later reduced by 4 months and 15
days as part of annual remissions granted to "well-behaved" prisoners on August 17,
Indonesian Independence Day. Remissions are also granted to prisoners at the end of
the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan, which this year starts on October 5. That
means Baasyir could be released before May 2007.
Baasyir urged the government to follow Islamic shariah law, implying that Indonesia
would no longer suffer from bombings if such action were taken.
Police have apparently not questioned Baasyir over the latest attacks. The cleric has
denied any links to terrorism and claims Jemaah Islamiyah does not exist.
Copyright (c) 2005 - PT Laksamana Global International. All rights reserved
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