The Jakarta Post, June 28, 2004
Suspect terrorizing expatriates faces terrorism charges: Police
Abdul Khalik, Jakarta
A man arrested for allegedly making death threats to expatriates working at
Canadian-operated nickel mine PT Inco in Soroako, South Sulawesi, will face
terrorism charges, police said on Sunday.
National Police antiterror division director Brig. Gen. Pranowo said the man identified
only as dentist "NMB" would be charged under the 2002 antiterrorism law for
threatening many Canadian expatriates.
"He will be charged under the terrorism law because he has scared many expatriates
by sending the death threats. Most of them had left Indonesia for Canada," Pranowo
said.
He said police had found no indication the dentist was linked with any terrorist group
in the country.
"We have investigated the case thoroughly and are convinced he acted on his own
only because he was afraid that foreigners would take over his job," Pranowo said.
This fear had prompted NMB to make a series of death threats in 200 mobile phone
text messages to several high-ranking Inco employees last May. The man was
arrested on June 9.
A total of 28 witnesses had been questioned and NMB's case file would soon be
submitted to prosecutors, who would prepare an indictment against him, Pranowo
said.
Pranowo stressed Soroako was secure from terrorist threats.
"This terror act is motivated by personal reasons. There is no wider political motive is
behind the threats because there were no more threats after (NMB's) arrest," he said.
After the messages, the Canadian government last month warned its citizens of a
terrorist threat in South Sulawesi. It issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising
them not to visit the province.
The ban was lifted on Saturday morning, PT INCO Vice President James K Gowans
was quoted by Antara as saying.
Indonesia has been rocked by a series of terror attacks in recent years. Most of them,
including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people, and the 2003 JW Marriott
Hotel attack which killed 12, have been blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked Jamaah
Islamiyah.
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