ABC AUSTRALIA, 26/05/2004 20:54:45
Bomb suspect tells Australian court of meetings with local JI
leaders
An Australian man accused of conspiring to blow up the Israeli embassy in the
Australian capital, Canberra, four years ago has taken the stand at his trial.
Our reporter, Alicia Gorey, says Jack Roche has told the court in Western Australia
he had regular contact with the two local leaders of the terrorist organisation Jemaah
Islamiah (JI).
Mr Roche says he became a Muslim in 1992, after battling alcoholism.
He says he met the local leader of JI in Australia, Abdul Rahim, at his workplace
several months before leaving Australia to live in Indonesia.
Mr Roche told the court he had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to go to Indonesia
to learn more about Islam.
He says he stayed there for two years and lived in Jakarta, working as an english
teacher, before returning to Australia in late 1995.
Mr Roche says on return he translated documents for the local branch of JI but he has
denied that involved any publications regarding terrorism.
26/05/2004 20:54:45 | ABC Radio Australia News
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