Jakarta – The National Police say terror suspect Abu Bakar Bashir was arrested after it was discovered that he was allegedly deeply involved in terrorist activities in West Java and Aceh.
Police also say they are searching for a French national allegedly involved in terrorist activities in Indonesia. Speaking during a news conference, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Edward Aritonang said Bashir was arrested for his involvement in establishing the now decimated Aceh terrorist cell that was allegedly planning Mumbai-style attacks.
The firebrand Islamic cleric also played a "key role" in appointing ustadz (religious teachers) to provide spiritual guidance for the Aceh group as they trained in the province's jungles, and appointed, among others, feared terrorist Dulmatin as its field commander, Edward alleged.
"Bashir also funded the military activity in Aceh," Edward said, adding that the cleric was regularly briefed on what was happening within the camp.
He said Bashir – alleged to have been the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for a string of deadly terrorist attacks in Indonesia – was arrested in Banjar, West Java, at 8:15 p.m. along with five bodyguards who attempted to obstruct the arresting officers.
Edward said four people had been arrested over the weekend in connection to terrorism, saying the group had a bomb laboratory in Cibiru, Bandung, and planned to blow up a number of targets with car bombs.
"We arrested Fahrul Tanjung and Hamzah in Cibiru, Bandung, where we also found a bomb lab along with a car, a Mitsubishi Gallant, which was prepared for use as a car bomb. The group received the car from a French man."
Edward added that the French national was still at large. Police also arrested a man named Gofur in Subang and a chemical expert in Padalarang. "We arrested Kurnia Widodo, a university graduate majoring in chemical engineering in Padalarang, Bandung," he said.
Bashir, meanwhile, has arrived at the National Police headquarters, saying the arrest had been fabricated by the United States. The five arrested alongside Bashir are still en route to Jakarta.
Australia on Monday hailed the arrest. "Australia welcomes the fact that Indonesian police have today arrested Abu Bakar Bashir in connection with possible terrorism-related offenses," Foreign Minister Stephen told the Australian Associated Press.
Bashir's detention by authorities showed Indonesia was committed to counterterrorism, Smith said. "Australia will await the formal detailed announcement by Indonesian authorities before commenting further."
[Agencies also contributed to this report.]