"In addition, all of the Jakarta Metropolitan police`s rank and file have been instructed to tighten security around vital objects in the capital," Senior Commissioner Baharuddin Djafar, head of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police`s public relations bureau, said here Saturday.
Baharuddin said the security tightening was necessary in anticipation of possible riots by the cleric`s followers or sympathizers.
The police`s intelligence unit was currently actively trying to collect information on whatever security disturbance potential existed ahead of Ba`asyir`s sentencing next Thursday, he said.
So far, the police had not detected any indication of such a potential in Jakarta "but nevertheless we will remain vigilant so as not to be taken by surprise." Baharuddin said.
Ba`asyir, chairman of Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), is accused of having financed a terrorist training program in Aceh. He had allegedly sent a large sum of money to terror kingpin Dulmatin through an intermediary for the purchase of arms and ammunition.
The prosecution had earlier demanded that Ba`asyir be jailed for life. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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