Bali bombers’ spiritual leader hospitalised in Indonesia
A radical Islamic cleric who was the spiritual leader of the Bali bombers and a force behind a jihadist training camp raided in 2010 has been transferred from prison to a Jakarta hospital.
Guarded by four paramilitary police, the frail white-bearded Abu Bakar Bashir arrived at the hospital in Indonesia’s capital on Thursday morning. He appeared unable to walk unassisted and was helped into a wheelchair, surrounded by photographers and TV cameramen.
He was sentenced to 15 years in
INDONESIA:
prison in 2011 for supporting a military-style training camp for militants that was uncovered the year before.
Octogenarian Bashir has medical problems including chronically weak blood circulation. A copy of a prison memo seen by The Associated Press said Bashir was being treated for pooling of blood in the legs, a common condition in old age known as chronic venous insufficiency.
Local media reported that President Joko ‘‘Jokowi’’ Widodo agreed with Bashir receiving hospital treatment on humanitarian grounds.
In 2016 he was transferred from his isolation cell on the maximum security Nusa Kambangan prison island to Gunung Sindur prison about 50 kilometres (30 miles) southeast of Jakarta amid complaints from his lawyer of inhumane treatment.
Bashir’s sympathisers hope Jokowi will grant him a permanent release due to his poor health, a move that would help mend fences between hard-line Muslims and Jokowi. -AP