THE younger brother of alleged Southeast Asian terrorist mastermind Hambali went on trial today in the latest move against al-Qaeda linked militants. Supporters of Rusman Gunawan, 27, shouted "Destroy America!" as his trial on three charges of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism got underway amid tight security at the Central Jakarta District Court. Prosecutor Payaman said Gunawan had conspired with other Southeast Asian militants grouped in a Jemaah Islamiyah unit called the al-Ghurba cell in Pakistan last year "to take part in acts of terrorism."
| I think it was a class project |
Payaman, who goes by a single name, did not specify the nature of the alleged plots, but said Hambali asked Gunawan to send him US$80,000 ($116,000) via alleged al-Qaeda operative Abdul Karim al-Bukhory. Some the money was used to fund an attack last year on the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta that killed 12 people, Payaman told the court. Jemaah Islamiyah is believed to have carried out that attack. Gunawan was not required to enter a plea in today’s court hearing. But he told reporters as he arrived at court that he underwent military training in Afghanistan in 2000 but denied sending any money to his older brother. "I disagree with the bombings that have hit Indonesia," he said, adding he last met Hambali in 2000 when they "discussed family affairs."
| Of course, bombing is considered a family passtime for this bunch |
Gunawan faces a possible death sentence if convicted. He was arrested in Karachi in December with five other Indonesian students. All were later deported to Indonesia. Four are now facing trial in Jakarta on terrorism-related charges. Lawyer Achmad Midan said the charges against Gunawan were very weak. "We are confident he will be freed," he said. |