'Mastermind' Sigit convicted of Burmese embassy bomb plot

Sigit Indrajid and three others were convicted separately under Indonesian anti-terrorism laws.

By Maeswara Palupi for Khabar Southeast Asia in Jakarta

January 23, 2014
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A South Jakarta court on Tuesday (January 21st) found Sigit Indrajid guilty of plotting a foiled conspiracy to bomb the Burmese embassy last year and sentenced him to 7.5 years in prison, AFP reported.

  • Defendant Sigit Indrajid was convicted Tuesday (January 21st) for his role in last year's foiled plot to bomb the Burmese embassy in Jakarta. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

    Defendant Sigit Indrajid was convicted Tuesday (January 21st) for his role in last year's foiled plot to bomb the Burmese embassy in Jakarta. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

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Sigit was "proven guilty, legally and convincingly, of committing an evil conspiracy by carrying out an act of terrorism", presiding judge Hariono told the court.

The alleged mastermind was one of four men prosecutors charged with plotting to blow up the mission in Jakarta last May in retaliation for violence perpetrated by Burma's Buddhist majority against Rohingya Muslims.

Sigit confessed to masterminding the plot during his trial last month, but he vowed Tuesday to "continue fighting the enemies of Islam".

All the defendants were being tried separately under Indonesian anti-terrorism laws.

Co-conspirator Rokhadi (aka Shiro aka Abu Junnah) received a six-year prison term for his role. Achmad Taufiq (aka Ovie), also received a 7.5 year prison sentence.

Separiano on trial

The first trial opened November 6th, when prosecutors presented their case against suspected extremist Separiano (alias Mambo), who told the court he learned how to build bombs on the Internet and bought bomb-making materials with money donated at an Islamic study group.

Separiano also attended various sermons at a Jakarta mosque for several years, including a speech by Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), media reported. An investigation revealed Separiano met with Sigit Indrajid, a member of the Islamic State of Indonesia (NII), via Facebook. Sigit used the social network to recruit extremists for the planned May attack.

"Sigit had posted a lot of news about the Rohingya Muslims in Burma, which attracted a lot of comments saying there should be retaliation against the infidel Buddhists," the Jakarta Post quoted the prosecutor as saying.

Authorities arrested fifth embassy plot suspect Prio Hutomo in Temanggung in December. Separiano's trial has yet to be resolved.

Un-Islamic conduct

Zanuri Wahabidin, a Muslim leader, said such attacks against the Burmese or Buddhists in the name of the Rohingya Muslims, went against Islam's values.

"It will only exacerbate the conflict, and that is not what we want. Islam wants to spread the word of peace and tolerance – not violence," Zanuri told Khabar Southeast Asia.

Reader Comments
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    • kurnia
      February 21, 2014 @ 03:02:14AM
    • Increasing the role of the military is good, but they should be professional and not shoot them dead. Put effort into taking them alive to be processed. Prove their wrongdoing first. (Do not capture the wrong people).
    • YUSWIN
      February 20, 2014 @ 09:02:47AM
    • Praise the Lord.
    • Mozes
      February 20, 2014 @ 01:02:08AM
    • I think that people are being excessive in their views because we in Papua have never cared where someone comes from, whether you are Muslim, a Christian, Buddhist or subscribe to Confucianism, everyone is the same. We must remember that Indonesia is not a country of one religion because we have 5 religions. But, what is often the cause of trouble are people who are frustrated with religious labels that are used as a shield, and using religion is the most practical way, why else would terror groups flourish in Indonesia? So my suggestion is to eliminate the strongholds of terrorists who act in the name of religion.
    • seno
      February 20, 2014 @ 12:02:44AM
    • People who become terrorists fronting as religious groups are stupid, backward and idiotic. Look at the Prophet SAW's hadith: He has never taught His people to commit violence against anyone. Even when He was mocked and insulted He forgave them with the hope that they would one day become people of faith.
    • ishail ambesia
      February 19, 2014 @ 04:02:14AM
    • I guarantee that the suspects acted in the name of jihad. What is jihad, anyway? A creed gone too far?
    • Shoppyia
      February 19, 2014 @ 02:02:18AM
    • As a person, you cannot just act carelessly.
    • Ipul
      February 19, 2014 @ 01:02:38AM
    • i love islam
    • aji soccer
      February 18, 2014 @ 11:02:05PM
    • Never sully Islam, our beautiful religion. Curses to those who would deny their religion.
    • axel
      February 18, 2014 @ 02:02:43AM
    • Wearing immaculate white on the outside but are like putrid graves on the inside. Your attire should reflect your actions but this is the opposite, disgusting.
    • AGiL
      February 17, 2014 @ 11:02:36AM
    • No comment, religious laws and national laws may have differences so those of you who don't know anything should stop commenting.
    • pendukung setia
      February 17, 2014 @ 03:02:09AM
    • I support everything that has been disseminated through online media, and everyone here likes it all.
    • ais bin atsana
      February 14, 2014 @ 07:02:34PM
    • I think that those who commit violence in the name of Islam are only doing so for personal popularity because they are unable to compete in other positive things like work achievements, contributing to economy, etc. You are pitiful.
    • dave
      February 14, 2014 @ 05:02:45PM
    • Do not be provoked by what is going on out there, we must be thorough in our response to outside information. Find out why the problems occurred and find the solution according to religious teachings, instead of committing acts of terror. If you engage in terror, then terrorist Act will deal with it.
    • Rossy
      February 12, 2014 @ 07:02:21PM
    • I implore everyone, as a good, religious Indonesian citizen, do not provoke and push another religion into a corner. We will tirelessly defend it and there is no use in trying to find the most correct religion because it basically comes down to the individual, whether they want to think and act in a positive manner or otherwise. Okay, my love to all religious people in Indonesia. We have one homeland, Indonesia.
    • biyan
      February 12, 2014 @ 10:02:37AM
    • Long live Islam, may the terrorists be destroyed.
    • sri Harmintati
      February 12, 2014 @ 02:02:52AM
    • Islam is beautiful.
    • arif
      February 9, 2014 @ 09:02:48PM
    • Islam has laid out the way life in society needs to be, it is imperative that we again study the ethics of Islamic brotherhood.
    • soleh
      February 5, 2014 @ 07:02:47AM
    • The actions undertaken by groups such as these are cruel and barbaric. They cannot have been committed by people of God. Anyone who approves of and sympathizes for the actions of these individuals/groups is also cruel and barbaric, especially those who provide them with funds and support - they are even more cruel and barbaric. These actions do not befit people of God and are detrimental to the quality of their own religion. Islam is faced with a challenge to show the spiritual quality of its followers. Is Islam a religion of love or of the sword? Thanks.
    • riri laviza
      February 4, 2014 @ 05:02:41AM
    • It would be better if people stopped insulting Islam because terrorists do not only come from Islam and many other religions are also involved in terrorism. We should just respect each other, fellow religious people. Allah, please protect Islam's name from violence.
    • zainal pedro
      February 4, 2014 @ 01:02:32AM
    • There are no religious teachings that say what Helene says. Indonesians must have religion, as stated in the National Principles. Those who commit violence are extremists who would condone any means to solve problems and that is against religion.
    • bolling
      February 3, 2014 @ 11:02:10AM
    • All religions teach people to do good so do not bring religion into this. Only insane people would engage in acts of anarchy.
    • poul
      February 14, 2014 @ 11:02:46AM
    • Wow, cool.
    • Brani
      January 28, 2014 @ 08:01:54PM
    • We should not blame religion because when it comes down to it, human beings are stupid and are not willing to seek a deeper understanding of their religion. It is not only Muslims who become terrorists, in fact, many terrorist activities that result in mass murder are often carried out by non-Muslims.
    • santri
      January 26, 2014 @ 11:01:14PM
    • Do not toy with Islam.
    • imam
      February 18, 2014 @ 07:02:16PM
    • Ooh, I'm scared, it's scary, it's frightening
    • sukiawati
      January 26, 2014 @ 11:01:44PM
    • Taking unilateral action is not professional and will hurt our own nation. Every country has its laws and regulations that must be obeyed for the sake of the nation's quality and progress. God willing.
    • mat.atar bin yaacob
      January 26, 2014 @ 05:01:06AM
    • I like this publication.
    • sarjono
      January 25, 2014 @ 09:01:24AM
    • Let's just foster mutual respect among religious people.
    • Helena
      January 23, 2014 @ 11:01:13PM
    • That's what people always say: Islam wants to spread peace. But, the actions contradict these words. People or groups are not judged based on their words but their actions. These actions serve as concrete evidence for what they believe. Sermons on love and peace have not borne fruit. Real Indonesians uncontaminated by religion are the ones who are peaceful and tolerant. Some people only become radicals after knowing religion. Are these the fruits of religion?
    • prasetyo wibowo
      January 23, 2014 @ 08:01:51PM
    • I support what Mr. Zanuri Wahabidin said, do not taint Islam with violence or political matters.

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