South Sulawesi Police accused on Friday Agung Abdul Hamid, the alleged mastermind behind the Dec. 5, 2002, blast that killed three in Makassar, of playing a key role in the recent terror attack in Palopo regency. Agung is still at large and has been hunted by the police since the bombing of a McDonald’s outlet and a car dealership in Makassar. Provincial police spokesman Sr. Comr. Andi Nurman Thahir said investigators had found evidence that Agung was an accomplice of Jasmin, who has been named the prime suspect in the Palopo explosion, which killed four people on Jan. 10.
| I thought Jasmin was the star attraction on several hundred porn sites? |
The police’s belief is based on the confession of another suspect, Arman, to the effect that Agung and Jasmin, known as Mister X, ate together at a seafood restaurant in Palopo a few days after the Sampoddo Indah Cafe was bombed, Nurman added.
| "Mister X"? Why, he's first cousing to Mister Big! |
"Therefore, we strongly suspect that Agung was involved in the bomb blast," he added.
| Yeah. That clinches it for me, too. I guess. |
Moreover, Nurman said, a forensic investigation showed that the explosives used for the Makassar and Palopo blasts were similar -- potassium chlorate, sulfur and aluminum. He said the police had arrested only five of the 12 suspects in the Palopo bombing. Those arrested are Arman, Ahmad Rizal alias Ical, Jedi, Benardi and Idil alias Abdul Muis bin Ca’di.
The seven others being hunted are Agung Abdul Hamid, Munir, Jasmin alias Jamir alias Yamin bin Kasau,
| Who's not sure who the hell he is... |
Ishak, Nirwan alias Iwan, Kahar alias Komar, and Aswandi.
| A motley crew, the lot of 'em... |
The police have officially charged only two of the five arrested men -- Arman and Idil -- with having roles in the terror attack. Arman, who was captured in North Kolaka regency, Southeast Sulawesi, was believed to have known about the plan for the bombing, while Idil, who was arrested in Bua village, Palopo, was identified as the person who collected funds for the mission. |