Lawyer: Wiranto Paranoid for Not Granting Baasyir House Arrest

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Abu Bakar Baasyir`s lawyer Guntur Fattahillah considers Minister Wiranto paranoid for not granting his client to be placed under house arrest.

Guntur also said that the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs had unfairly assumed Abu Bakar Baasyir as a security threat without ever meeting him in person.

Furthermore, Guntur said that he never once saw Wiranto visiting Baasyir’s relatives, especially when Baasyir’s health deteriorated. “Please don’t be that paranoid,” said Guntur on Tuesday, March 6.

Read: MUI Asks Jokowi to Give Clemency to Abu Bakar Baasyir

As previously reported, Wiranto had initially rejected the notion of transferring Abu Bakar Baasyir to a detention center in Solo, where most of his family lives.

The transfer was suggested by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu to President Jokowi and was based on humanitarian considerations.

However, Wiranto was not alone to refuse to place Baasyir under house arrest. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly was also against that suggestion and argued that the government would commit a violation if Baasyir is granted a house arrest.

Read: Govt Rejects House Arrest Request for Abu Bakar Baasyir

“House arrest would not be possible. The law does not say so,” said Yasonna.

Guntur explained that Baasyir is currently in a poor health condition after his client suffered from an abnormality in his legs vein, which makes it difficult for blood to be pumped back to his heart.

Abu Bakar Baasyir is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence since 2011 for his involvement in acts of terrorism. Baasyir was found guilty by judge Herry Swantoro for being the mastermind behind the firearm training held in Aceh Besar in February 2010. 

M Julnis Firmansyah