Lawyer: Abu Bakar Baasyir to Get Hospital Exam in Jakarta

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Abu Bakar Baasyir`s lawyer, Mahendradatta, said the terrorism convict would undergo a series of health checks at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta. He said that the man is suffering from swelling in the legs.

"He has left the Gunung Sindur (prison). His foot is swollen, for quite some time now," Mahendradatta said on Tuesday, January 29, as quoted by Antara.

The examination, he said, was to find out what is causing the swelling. "He is old, his condition has deteriorated. We need to check further to find out what triggered (the swelling)."

When Yusril Ihza Mahendra met Abu Bakar Baasyir in prison, he said that Baasyir would be released. The reason is for humanity because Baasyir is getting older and his health conditions are declining. Yusril is a lawyer for the Joko Widodo - Ma'ruf Amin Campaign Team,

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the government would obey the laws and regulations in relations to the plan of releasing the Baasyir on parole.

The President said that one of the required law mechanisms for his release is a parole. The President also said the main requirements for parole is for the convict to pledge allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia and the Pancasila ideology.

However, the Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), Corm Gen. jen Suhardi Alius, said Baasyir is reluctant to sign a statement of loyalty to the state, and rejects to be deradicalized of his extremist ideologies. 

Jokowi said the government continues to review the parole for Abu Bakar Baasyir. "This is a fundamental situation, loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia and to the Pancasila is fundamental," the President said.

ANTARA