[Nasional-e] Bali bombing suspects members of JI: Defense minister

[Ambon]

The Jakarta Post
Nov. 26, 2002

 Bali bombing suspects members of JI: Defense minister

JAKARTA (JP): Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil maintained here on Monday
that the arrested Bali bombing suspect, Imam Samudra and his associates, are
members of the radical Muslim group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).

"They have been proven to be activists of Jamaah Islamiyah," Matori said as
quoted by Antara on the sidelines of a hearing with the House of
Representatives' Commission on defense and foreign affairs.

With regards the fact that the police themselves have not made such a
conclusion, Matori pointed out that the police analyzed the case on the
basis of legal facts uncovered through investigation, while his argument was
based on political analyses.

The minister noted that the suspects have admitted to being members of JI,
indicating that the radical Muslim group has made its presence felt in
Indonesia. He further said that terrorists had the habit of using aliases,
as most of the suspects had done.

Matori reiterated his belief that JI has a close relationship with al-Qa