Abu Jibril has been detained for two years, the maximum permitted under the Malaysian Internal Security Act (ISA), and is therefore being released.
News of Abu Jibrils imminent release was also announced by Irfan S Awwas, Chairman of Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI), who is Jibrils younger brother.
Speaking by phone from his home on Tuesday (19/8), Irfan admitted that he had received the news about his brothers release.
I received news that Abu Jibril will be set free on the 21st. The Malaysian Government will not extend his detention. In accordance with the ISA, detention is only for two years. If a suspect is not found guilty, then he will be released. Irfan said without mentioning who had given him the information about his brothers release.
According to Irfan, the Malaysian Government has not been able to prove that his brother is a member of the Jamaah Islamiah organization.
Because of this, Abu Jibril should be set free, especially bearing in mind he has been detained for two years.
Irfan added that the Malaysian Police arrested Abu Jibril on June 30,2001.
This means that he was arrested before the WTC bombing. However, later on there were some allegations that Abu Jibril was a member of the group who carried out the bombing. Obviously this is untrue, since Abu Jibril was caught a long time before the WTCs bombing, he said.
After his release from Malaysian prison, Abu Jibril plans to go to the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
If the government gives him permission to stay, he will stay for a while in Malaysia.
But, if he doesnt get permission, Abu Jibril will return directly to Indonesia. But of course after taking care of his family, said Irfan.
However, Irfan S Awwas is worried about the possibility of Abu Jibril being arrested by the Indonesian Police if he returns to Indonesia.
It is clear that the Malaysian Government could not prove Abu Jibrils involvement. So if he is arrested by the police in Indonesia, I think it would be for no justifiable reason, he said.
(heru cn-Tempo News Room)
