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Malaysian soldiers captured on Thai soil
An Islamic teacher acquitted of terrorism charges last year has called for justice, saying his time behind bars ruined his school's reputation and resulted in a big drop in student enrolments. Maisuru Haji Abdullah, the owner of Islamburana Tornor school in Muang Narathiwat district, voiced his grievance during a meeting with National Reconciliation Commission chairman Anand Panyarachun yesterday.Mr Maisuru, 53, was arrested along with his son Muyahi, Muslim doctor Waemahadi Waedao and Samarn Waekaji on June 10, 2003 on charges of being members of the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror group. They were acquitted on June 11 last year due to lack of evidence. ''During my two-year imprisonment I killed time by reading the Koran more than 30 times. I prayed five times a day. Prison guards even complained because I was praying so often,'' he said. ''I had to serve two years for a crime I did not commit. I testified before the court more than 50 times before I was finally acquitted of the charges. ''I decided not to file a counter-suit just because I did not want to create any problems. All I want now is to involve myself in teaching my students, just like before,'' he said. The school had 300 students the day he was arrested; that number gradually dropped to as low as 50. Many other Islamic teachers were also arrested, while some fled after the school was accused of being a breeding ground for terrorists. He vowed to rehabilitate his school and rebuild its reputation. The number of students has risen to 80 now, said Mr Maisuru. Meanwhile, six Malaysian soldiers were captured on Thai soil yesterday in Narathiwat's Sukhirin district. The Malaysian soldiers _ two corporals, two petty officers and two privates _ denied that they were spying on Thai soil. They insisted that they became lost while on a border demarcation mission. Fourth Army chief Lt-Gen Ongkorn Thongprasom said the intruders were sent to the Thai-Malaysian border committee, which would arrange their deportation. In Yala, a policeman was shot dead yesterday by two men on a motorcycle while returning home from work. One of the attackers was then shot dead by another police officer. Pol Sgt-Maj Praphon Suwankota, 40, was hit in the head and body. He was attacked shortly before 8am. The sound of gunshots brought Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Kittipas Chotchuang, an in-law who lives nearby, rushing to the scene. He opened fire on the attackers, killing Muhammad Hayi Hama, 20. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-02-22 |
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