ABC AUSTRALIA, 24/10/2002 23:01:34
Muslim militants converge on hospital to protect Bashir
In Indonesia, about 30 members of a radical Muslim militia, many wearing face masks
and some carrying knives, have arrived in Solo vowing to protect hospitalised terror
suspect Abu Bakar Bashir.
Wearing green and brown camouflage uniforms, they marched uncontested past
police and into the hospital where the alleged spiritual leader of the Muslim terrorist
group Jemaah Islamiah is being treated.
Patches on their uniform identified them as a Jakarta branch of Laskar Mujahedin.
The hardline militia has fought Christians in the Maluku Islands, where more than
5,000 people have been killed in three years of sectarian violence.
Armed police and local followers of Bashir have been guarding his hospital room since
he was arrested last weekend after being implicated in a series of bombings two
years ago, and an alleged plot to attack then vice-president, Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Police are waiting for Bashir, 64, to recover before they question him.
24/10/2002 23:01:34 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
