Watch Video
Podcasts
Blogs
ASIA-PACIFIC 
Indonesian Muslims accused of subversion
Wednesday, 14 May, 2008
Seventeen Muslim hardliners who declared an Islamic State of Indonesia will face charges of subversion which is punishable by up to 15 years in jail, a report says.
The Islamists arrested earlier this month in three locations near Bandung, West Java province, were senior leaders of the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Indonesia (NII), the regional police chief told the Jakarta Post.
"Most suspects hold positions within the NII ranging from the governor of the southern part of West Java, to regents, regency secretary and district officials within the NII state," police General Susno Duaji said.
He said evidence included the NII's constitution, criminal code, independence proclamation and flag, which resembled Indonesia's red-and-white flag with an additional Islamic star and crescent.
Police would recommend prosecutors charge them with plotting against the state, a crime which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in jail.
Provincial police refused to comment and Duaji could not be immediately reached to confirm the report.
Police have already released 18 other people after determining that they were only newly-recruited members of the organisation.
Source: AAP
