| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| Indonesian thug jailed for up to 17 years in Manila |
| 2002-07-13 |
| Agus Dwikarna, an Indonesian national arrested in the Philippines on suspicion of terrorism in March, was sentenced to up to 17 years in jail on Friday for illegal possession of explosives. In Jakarta, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said "Our main concern is to ensure that Agus' rights are not violated during the whole process. We do support him appealing the verdict, but will not interfere in the legal process." Hassan's statement came amid mounting public pressure on the government to secure Agus' release or at least to have him tried in Indonesia. The crime was committed in the Philippines, he was tried in the Philippines. Butt out... Agus was arrested at Manila airport along with compatriots Abdul Jamal Balfas and Tamsil Linrung while about to board a flight to Bangkok. Philippine police found explosive devices in their luggage. During their brief Philippine visit, the three were said to have met with associates of another Indonesian, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi, who is now serving a 12-year-jail sentence, also for illegal possession of explosives. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo in April ordered Tamsil and Abdul freed after the Indonesian government protested. Philippine police said evidence against the two was lacking. Nothin' there but a few kilos of explosives. Somebody coulda put them in those bags when they weren't lookin'... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |