Indonesia supports US prosecution of alleged Bali bombing mastermind Hambali after 23 years
Bali newsBali6 min read
Indonesia has expressed support for the United States' decision to prosecute terror suspect Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, who has been held at Guantanamo Bay for over 20 years. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated that Indonesia welcomes the US government's prosecution of the case and has no plans to seek Hambali's return. Hambali, arrested in Thailand in 2003 and transferred to Guantanamo Bay in 2006, is accused of being a senior figure in Jemaah Islamiyah JI and involvement in the 2002 Bali bombings. Indonesia's stance on his return changed due to questions about his citizenship status and potential legal complications, including the country's single-citizenship policy and the statute of limitations for certain crimes. Hambali was reportedly carrying Thai and Spanish passports at the time of his arrest, and official documents confirming his Indonesian citizenship have not been obtained. He is currently being prosecuted by a US military court alongside two Malaysians, Mohammed Nazir Lep and Mohammed Farik Amin, who are also allegedly linked to the Bali attacks. Indonesia will continue to monitor the case, believing US prosecution to be the most appropriate path.
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