Arrest of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir
Media release
10 August 2010
On 9 August, Indonesian police arrested Abu Bakar Ba’asyir on suspicion of involvement in a series of terrorist activities in Aceh and Bandung in Indonesia.
Any legal proceedings following this arrest, including any charges brought against Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, are a matter for the Indonesian authorities.
This arrest and others like it are testament to the dedication of the Indonesian Government to respond to the threat of terrorism.
By any measure Indonesia has been very successful in disrupting and tracking down suspected terrorists.
Australia will continue to work closely with Indonesia and other partners in the region to tackle terrorism.
Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is a founding member of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and is a leader of the group Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT).
Following the Bali bombings in October 2002 and subsequent Jakarta bombings in 2003, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir was convicted of taking part in a conspiracy to cause an explosion and served a two-and-a-half- year sentence. His conviction was later overturned by the Indonesian Supreme Court.
We again remember the innocent victims of those attacks and our thoughts are with their families.
Media inquiries
- Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555