Jakarta – Indonesian police yesterday moved terrorism suspect Abu Bakar Bashir to a new jail cell, a lawyer for the firebrand cleric said.

Police transferred Bashir, 65, from his cell at national police headquarters to a renovated detention room at the Jakarta police facility, closer to the city centre, shortly after Friday prayers, said lawyer Muhammad Assegaff.

"If you ask me, the place is more suitable than the old place but it is still a detention. What ustaz [teacher] wants is total freedom," Mr Assegaff said. He confirmed the detention unit had several rooms, air-conditioning as well as spring beds.

One Indonesian newspaper yesterday called Bashir's new accommodation a "five- star cell". Police spokesman Brigadier-General Sunarko Danu Ardanto said the cell was not "special" but will keep Bashir apart from other inmates.

Police say Bashir led the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah and will be charged with involvement in its terrorist attacks between 1999 and 2002 – including the Bali nightclub bombings, which killed 202 people in October 2002.

Bashir was re-arrested on April 30, moments after completing a prison sentence for immigration violations and forgery.