The Jakarta Post, 4/19/2004 1:23:56 PM
Ba'asyir lawyers to lobby Islamic groups
JAKARTA (AP): Lawyers for jailed cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir plan to lobby Indonesia's
largest Islamic organizations to support their client's battle to avoid fresh terror
charges, attorneys said Monday.
Ba'asyir's attorney will meet with the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) - the country's
most influential Islamic body on Tuesday, said lawyer Wirawan Adnan.
Meetings with the leaders of the large Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah
Islamic groups will take place next week, he said. "We hope these people will support
our efforts," said Adnan.
The United States has reiterated its allegations that Ba'asyir is a terror leader. The
militant cleric's supporters maintain that police are acting against him because of
pressure from Washington.
Lad terrorism charges. He is due to be released on April 30, but the fresh allegations
against him make this unlikely.
Ba'asyir's lawyers said they hope to generate public support and sympathy for their
client, forcing the government to drop any new charges against him for fear of being
seen as anti-Muslim.
Adnan said that the United States wanted Ba'asyir imprisoned because of his vocal
support for Islamic causes worldwide.
The developments come at a politically sensitive time in the world's most populous
Muslim nation, as politicians seek Muslim support ahead of presidential elections in
July.
Asked about the evidence U.S. officials says exists to support its allegations, Adnan
pointed to the claims made about Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction.
"They lied once, they are lying again," he said. Ba'asyir has always denied any
involvement in terror activities, but he has sharply criticized U.S. policies in the
Muslim world.
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