National

National Police HQ Claims to Have Arrested 24 JI Members
Friday, 01 July, 2005 | 21:00 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The National Police Headquarters has said that it had arrested 24 people who are allegedly members of the Jamaah Islamiyah organization and who have been involved in terrorism cases in Indonesia.

However, the National Police HQ refused to announce the names of these JI members.

National Police chief General Da’i Bachtiar said that the police declined to reveal the 24 names so that other fugitives would not escape.

Bachtiar promised that he would announce their names following a week-long 24-hour per day investigation.

“We will announce their names later,” said Bachtiar.
As regards the arrest of Iqbal, a main suspect in the JW Marriott Hotel bombing case, in Bachtiar declined to comment.

“We will make information regarding this available later. There are legal measures imposed on those involved in terrorism cases. But, I’m still yet able to make any announcement. This is aimed at preventing other fugitives from escaping,” said Bachtiar.

National Police spokesman Inspector General Aryanto Budihardjo declined to reveal the number of suspects arrested.

He also refused to give any details regarding where the arrests took place.

“Later, we will announce this at the proper time,” said Budihardjo.

National Police Head of Detectives and Crimes Commissioner General Makbul Padmanegara confirmed that he was not yet to acknowledge information regarding the arrest of Jamaah Islamiyah members in Solo, Central Java.

“But, how is it possible that the incident on Wednesday has not yet been reported to the National Police HQ?” Padmanegara said. (Erwin Dariyanto-Tempo News Room)