ID :
168961
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/168961
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Fourth bomb found in Jakarta
SYDNEY (AAP) - March 17 - Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor has described a string of attempted bombings in Jakarta in the past three days as a worrying trend after police disarmed a fourth device, sent to the home of a recording artist.
Mr O'Connor has been in Jakarta since Tuesday for meetings on issues related to transnational crime, including terrorism.
The latest bomb, sent to the house of Ahmad Dhani in the upmarket suburb of Pondok Indah, is the fourth device located this week after three were found on Tuesday, including one which injured four people when it exploded as police were trying to disarm it.
Police are yet to name any suspects although it has been suggested that the person or persons who sent the bombs have links to terrorist organisations.
The bomb that exploded on Tuesday was addressed to Ulil Abshar Abdalla, an outspoken critic of Islamic hardline groups and a senior member of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party.
Another of the bombs found on Tuesday was sent to the offices of the National Narcotics Board and addressed to its chief, Brigadier General Gorries Mere.
Gorries is a former high-ranking officer with Densus 88, Indonesia's anti-terrorism unit which is funded by Australia and the United States.
The third bomb was sent to the house of Yapto Soerjosoemarno, the head of the Pancasila Youth, and a strong advocate of religious freedom.
Mr O'Connor, who was due to have a meeting at the National Narcotics Board on Wednesday evening, said the events of the past three days underlined the fact that terrorism remained a real threat.
The visit was later rescheduled due to unrelated matters.
"This is a worrying trend and I want to make it very clear that my efforts in the last two days have been focused on these very important issues - how we combat terrorism, how we deal with counter-radicalisation of home-grown terrorists," Mr O'Connor said.
"(The Indonesian police have) responded very effectively to these threats and I acknowledge their efforts in successfully confronting and dealing with these threats."
"These issues that arose in the last three days underline the constant threat terrorism has for Indonesia and Australia and it's why we need to work together very closely."
Mr O'Connor has been in Indonesia for the past two days for meetings with Indonesian officials in relation to transnational crime, including people smuggling and terrorism.
He has been accompanied by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Tony Negus.
The latest bomb to be found, sent to Dhani on Tuesday but only discovered on Thursday when one of his staff opened his mail, was contained in a book titled Yahudi Militan (The Militant Jewish).
Dhani is the owner of a management agency and is also a recording artist. He is know for outspoken views on religious freedom and has a Jewish grandfather.
The "book bombs" have all been sent through the mail, and are similar in make.
Police have said there is a real possibility more bombs will be found in the coming days.
The attempted bombings come amid an upswing in religious violence and intolerance in Indonesia including attacks on members of Ahmadiyah, a minority Muslim sect.
The president has made statements recently condemning attacks against Ahmadis after three were killed during a violent rampage involving 1500 people in Cikeusik in west Java's Banten province last month.
Mr O'Connor has been in Jakarta since Tuesday for meetings on issues related to transnational crime, including terrorism.
The latest bomb, sent to the house of Ahmad Dhani in the upmarket suburb of Pondok Indah, is the fourth device located this week after three were found on Tuesday, including one which injured four people when it exploded as police were trying to disarm it.
Police are yet to name any suspects although it has been suggested that the person or persons who sent the bombs have links to terrorist organisations.
The bomb that exploded on Tuesday was addressed to Ulil Abshar Abdalla, an outspoken critic of Islamic hardline groups and a senior member of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party.
Another of the bombs found on Tuesday was sent to the offices of the National Narcotics Board and addressed to its chief, Brigadier General Gorries Mere.
Gorries is a former high-ranking officer with Densus 88, Indonesia's anti-terrorism unit which is funded by Australia and the United States.
The third bomb was sent to the house of Yapto Soerjosoemarno, the head of the Pancasila Youth, and a strong advocate of religious freedom.
Mr O'Connor, who was due to have a meeting at the National Narcotics Board on Wednesday evening, said the events of the past three days underlined the fact that terrorism remained a real threat.
The visit was later rescheduled due to unrelated matters.
"This is a worrying trend and I want to make it very clear that my efforts in the last two days have been focused on these very important issues - how we combat terrorism, how we deal with counter-radicalisation of home-grown terrorists," Mr O'Connor said.
"(The Indonesian police have) responded very effectively to these threats and I acknowledge their efforts in successfully confronting and dealing with these threats."
"These issues that arose in the last three days underline the constant threat terrorism has for Indonesia and Australia and it's why we need to work together very closely."
Mr O'Connor has been in Indonesia for the past two days for meetings with Indonesian officials in relation to transnational crime, including people smuggling and terrorism.
He has been accompanied by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Tony Negus.
The latest bomb to be found, sent to Dhani on Tuesday but only discovered on Thursday when one of his staff opened his mail, was contained in a book titled Yahudi Militan (The Militant Jewish).
Dhani is the owner of a management agency and is also a recording artist. He is know for outspoken views on religious freedom and has a Jewish grandfather.
The "book bombs" have all been sent through the mail, and are similar in make.
Police have said there is a real possibility more bombs will be found in the coming days.
The attempted bombings come amid an upswing in religious violence and intolerance in Indonesia including attacks on members of Ahmadiyah, a minority Muslim sect.
The president has made statements recently condemning attacks against Ahmadis after three were killed during a violent rampage involving 1500 people in Cikeusik in west Java's Banten province last month.
