Indonesia Mulls Terrorist's Offer of Help to Free Kidnapped Sailors

A jailed terrorist involved in the Bali bombings, Umar Patek, says the chances of the sailors being freed are high if he is involved in negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf militant group. — Umar Patek, says the chances of the sailors being freed are high if he is involved in negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Jakarta, 07 Rajab 1437/14 April 2016 (MINA) – The Indonesian government was on Wednesday (Apr 13) considering an offer of help from a terrorist involved in the Bali bombings to negotiate for the release of 10 Indonesian sailors kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants more than two weeks ago.

Umar Patek, or Hisyam bin Ali Zein, was involved in the Christmas church attacks in Jakarta in 2000 and also the 2002 Bali bombings. In 2012, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is currently behind bars at Porong prison in East Java.

In return for remission, he has offered to help the Indonesian government, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting cna.

Umar, who joined Abu Sayyaf after the Bali bombings, claims he is acquainted with its leaders. He held a high position within the group, and was elected a council member in 2005. He says the chance of success in securing the release of the 10 Indonesian sailors abducted by the group is high if he is involved in the negotiation process.

The Indonesian government has not rejected the option of using Umar. The chief of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency, Tito Karnavian, said the offer is being considered but there are still other options they could take.

Authorities are also trying to get information from other terrorist suspects captured in Indonesia or those who may have, at some point, joined the Abu Sayyaf militants in Philippines. Security analysts say the government may use the Umar option, but only as a last resort.

A special task force which includes the Foreign Ministry, the National Counter-Terrorism Agency and the army has been formed to bring back the 10 Indonesian hostages.

Indonesia and Malaysia have also begun discussions on how to increase security in waterways in areas where hijacking incidents are rife.

On Tuesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her Malaysian counterpart met on the sidelines of an Islamic Cooperation Organisation meeting in Istanbul.

Both ministers agreed that the security of these waterways are an important part in the development of the ASEAN economy. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)