The Jakarta Post, February 14, 2006
Police killer in Maluku gets death penalty
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
The Ambon District Court on Monday sentenced a man to death for his involvement in
two terrorist attacks, including a 2005 assault on a police post that left five officers
and one civilian dead.
Presiding judge Kharli! son Hariantja said Asep Djaja, alias Aji, was guilty of
involvement in an attack on Wamkana village, Namrole district, Buru regency, on May
5, 2004, which killed three people; and an attack on a Mobile Brigade police post in
Loki, Piru district, West Seram regency, on May 16, 2005.
"The defendant's actions caused terror and widespread fear among the residents of
Wamkana and Loki, and Maluku people in general," Khalison said.
The court found Asep guilty of violating articles 6 and 14 of the 2003 Terrorism Law,
and Article 55 of the Criminal Code.
Asep was the first of five defendants in Ambon being tried under the law on terrorism
to receive the death penalty. The four other defendants -- Idi Amin Tabrani Pattimura,
Fatur Datu Armen, Ismail Fahmi Yamsehu and Syamsul Bakhri -- are awaiting their
verdicts.
Asep also was found guilty of the possession of firearms and ammunition, and of
planning and encouraging others to take part in terrorism.
After the verdict was announced, Asep declared he would appeal the decision, which
he described as a "conspiracy against him".
"There's an ideological conspiracy in the judge's verdict and I feel I am a victim of the
law," he said.
He questioned the decision to try him under the law on terrorism. "Why was I charged
under articles 6 and 14 of the 2003 law?" he asked.
He said he and his group were not terrorists.
"We're not terrorists, but mujahideen. Terrorists and mujahideen are differe! nt. We
have norms and regulations. What we're doing is merely responding to the conflict in
Maluku," he said.
In another trial at the same court Monday, Nazarudin Mochtar, alias Harun, was
sentenced to nine years in prison for assisting in the Loki attack.
"The defendant was not directly involved in the shootings at the Loki police post, but
he knew of the plan and those responsible," said presiding judge Jhon Teleuw.
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