JAKARTA, June 14 (UPI) -- An Indonesian court Monday turned down terror suspect Abu Bakar Baasyir's request for release from detention on the grounds that he was wrongfully arrested.
Chief Judge Hari Sasongko of the South Jakarta District Court said Baasyir's arrest in April was carried out in line with procedures stipulated in the penal code.
Baasyir's lawyers had filed a lawsuit against national police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, claiming that police did not follow proper procedures in arresting him and demanding the Islamic cleric's release.
Police rearrested the 66-year-old Baasyir on April 30 as he stepped out of a Jakarta prison after completing an 18-month sentence for immigration violations and forgery.
Police say they have new evidence that Baasyir was a leader of the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, after a court earlier cleared him of the charge.
Ba'asyir, who was not present in court for the hearing, has denied involvement in terrorism and has called allegations against him a U.S.-inspired smear campaign against Islam.
If found guilty of violating anti-terrorism laws, Baasyir could face the death penalty.
