Govt Prepares Terrorist Cell in Sentul
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Rabu, 28 Agustus 2013 12:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Justice and Human Rights Ministry plans to build a prison for terrorists in Sentul, Bogor district, West Java. Justice and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin said the government believes it is best to separate terrorists from other criminals.
"Because they have done extraordinary crimes," Amir said at his office yesterday.
There are currently around 350 terrorist convicts imprisoned with other criminals, such as corruptors and drug dealers or abusers, in overcrowded penitentiaries across the nation.
The idea to establish a separate unit for terrorists emerged following the Tanjung Gusta Penitentiary riot that occurred in Medan last July, killing one inmate and three prison guards. Thousands of convicts escaped after burning down the prison, eight of who were terrorists. Four convicted terrorists are still on the run.
Acting penitentiary director general at the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, Bambang Krisbanu, says the government will partner up with the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) to develop this penitentiary. The development will also be discussed with the Detasemen Khusus 88 (Densus 88) anti-terror squad from the National Police Headquarters. Bambang also said that this collaboration has been in the works since last year, yet he cannot confirm when construction will begin.
GALVAN YUDISTIRA | NURHASIM