Bali bomber let out for coffee at Starbucks

1.00pm

JAKARTA - Indonesian police have said they are committed to tackling terrorism after one of the Bali bombers was treated by police to an outing at an up-market shopping mall in the Indonesian capital last week.

Ali Imron, who is serving a life term for his role in the nightclub blasts that killed 202 people, was spotted on Wednesday sipping coffee at a Starbucks in the central Plaza Indonesia mall, where security has been tightened after a wave of bombings targeting Western interests in recent years.

He was accompanied by Brigadier-General Gorris Mere, who is involved in the Bali investigations, and a number of armed guards, who quickly escorted Imron to a waiting car and drove away after being spotted by reporters.

After Australia voiced anger at the move, Yuri Thamrin, a foreign ministry spokesman, quoted in Japan Today, said: "Our resolve has always been to serve our national interest, which is to protect ourselves from terrorism. We will continue to fight it."

Police were initially unable to confirm Imron's outing, but on Thursday morning, after reports appeared in newspapers, the national police spokesman said the excursion was part of an effort to investigate terror cases.

"As long as it's for the investigation, anything can be done. About the location, it is merely technical. If the examiner or investigator thinks it is necessary then it would be allowed. No problem," said Inspector-General Paiman.

Other police officials said Imron had been brought to Jakarta in connection with another case. Paiman declined to say how long Imron would remain in the capital.

Imron was sentenced to life in jail last September for his role in the 2002 nightclub blasts. The majority of those killed were foreign tourists.

The attacks have been blamed on the regional al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah militant group, whose suspected spiritual leader, Abu Bakar Bashir, is being held by police pending terror-related charges.

Some of the more than 30 militants convicted over the Bali attacks have testified that they had selected the nightclubs because of their hatred of the West and Western interests.

Three Bali bombers were given the death sentence and remained defiant throughout their trials. However, Imron was handed life in jail after appearing remorseful and repeatedly apologising for his actions.

- REUTERS

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