VIVAnews - South Jakarta Public Court has again held a trial against Al Khelaiw Ali Abdullah A or Ali. In his defense, Ali denied all allegations accusing him as a terrorist source of funding.
“I’m a tourist, not a terrorist,” Ali said, as read by the interpreter during the trial on Thursday, June 24.
Ali tried to convince the judges that his presence in Indonesia was only to spend his retirement after 33 years working in Saudi Arabia as a school teacher.
He chose Indonesia because he had positive perspectives about the country that include its natural beauty, hospitality and tolerance. “After I get positive views on this country, I decided to stay”.
Ali went on by saying that he later thought of running a small business with secure profit. “I used money from my own account, which is less than US$6,000, for the capital”.
However, Ali’s statements were on the contrary to his previous words before the trial in February. At that time, Ali said he came to Indonesia to seek medical treatment.
He also admitted of knowing Saefuddin Zuhri, one of the terrorists involved in the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriot bombings and the follower of top terrorist leader Noordin M Top. Ali said he knew Saefuddin at the airport as soon as he arrived in Indonesia. “I needed a guide,” he said.
To Saefuddin, Ali expressed his intention to start a business. Saefuddin then introduced him to Iwan Herdiansyah. “I didn’t know that he (Saefuddin) was a terrorist. If I did, I wouldn’t take him as my guide”.
Ali also made a work contract with Iwan in Arabian because both of them understand the language. “In the contract, there isn’t any statement of me paying Saefuddin his fee, “he said.
The clause on the fee for Saefuddin was later found in a contract in Bahasa Indonesia in block letters. He denied giving the money to Saefuddin, which was misunderstood by the investigators as operational fund for the bombings. Therefore, he said he was not aware of the fee matter between Iwan and Saefuddin.
“I deny all charges. I also deny the allegation of Saefuddin hiring a place for me in Bogor. It was Firman who hired it”.
Ali especially denied the judges’ charge explaining the details of terrorism act at both hotels. “I was never asked about the matter by the investigators,” he said.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
