An Indonesian court has rejected a class action lawsuit filed by hardline cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who had sought the disbanding of the police's anti-terrorism unit. Bashir, who has been accused by foreign governments of being the spiritual head of regional Islamic extremist network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), had alleged the unit violated human rights.
The 68-year-old served more than two years in jail for his role in the Bali bombings in October 2002, which left 202 people dead and were blamed on JI. Among the dead were 88 Australians, for whom the anti-terrorism unit was named. Bashir's lawyers had demanded the court declare the actions of the US and Australian-funded unit in violation of the law for making arbitrary arrests.
The unit, known as Detachment 88, has made a string of militant arrests in recent years, including several high-profile catches this year. Judge Wachyono told a hearing at the South Jakarta District Court the class action suit filed by Bashir's lawyers in June did not meet legal requirements. "The panel of judges is of the opinion that the defendant did not provide details on which groups he represents and therefore the suit is unclear and vague," he said.
The suit alleged officers from the unit had used torture to obtain confessions and that their work discriminated against Muslims as they were the unit's sole targets. About 70 supporters of Bashir protested the verdict by banging on tables and shouting, "Disband Detachment 88!" and "Allahu Akbar!" (Holy Shit! God is greater). |