The Sydney Morning Herald, October 5, 2005 - 1:18AM
Bashir calls Bali attacks warning from God
A Muslim cleric jailed for the 2002 Bali bombings says the latest attacks on the
Indonesian resort island are a warning from God.
No one has claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks that struck popular
restaurants in Bali at the weekend, killing 22, but suspicion has fallen on the al-Qaeda
linked regional terror group Jemaah Islamiah.
JI has also been blamed for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly
foreign tourists, the Australian embassy attack in Jakarta last year and the Marriott
bombing the year before.
From his prison cell, Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir - the group's alleged spiritual
leader - condemned the attack but also said in a statement yesterday that last
weekend's attacks were a sign of God's displeasure with the Indonesian government.
"I suggest the government bring themselves closer to God by implementing his rules
and laws because these happenings are warnings from God for all of us," said Bashir,
convicted of conspiracy over the 2002 Bali attacks.
Meanwhile, News Ltd newspapers reported today that Bashir's name is on a list of
prisoners eligible to have their sentences cut.
In August, Bashir's 30-month sentence for his part in the 2002 Bali bombings was cut
by four and a half months to commemorate Indonesia's independence day.
It could now be cut by a further 30 days, News Ltd said.
A Cipinang prison official in charge of compiling the list of prisoners eligible for
remission to mark the end of Ramadan on November 4, said Bashir's name was on
the list, along with those of 27 other convicted terrorists.
The list is to be submitted to justice officials next week.
A spokeswoman for the Australian embassy in Jakarta said it was maintaining efforts
to keep Bashir in prison.
AAP, AP
Copyright © 2005. The Sydney Morning Herald.
|
