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Singapore, Philippines Announce More Evidence Against Terrorist Suspects


The governments of Singapore and the Philippines say they have more evidence that suspected militants plotted terrorist attacks in an effort to build an Islamic state. The suspects are closely linked to a regional Muslim group called Jemaah Islamiyah.

Philippine officials say a suspect they have in detention has agreed to testify that two colleagues helped him plan terrorist attacks against Western targets in Southeast Asia. The police arrested Fahtur Rohman Al-Ghozi, an Indonesian citizen, in January.

Police say Mr. Al-Ghozi will testify that Faiz Bin Abu Bakar Bafana, a Malaysian, and Riduan Isamudin, an Indonesian, gave him money to buy explosives for the attacks.

Faiz Bin Abu Bakar Bafana is being detained in Singapore and Riduan Isamudin remains at large.

The Singapore government also said Riduan Isamudin planned to blow up facilities in Singapore, including the headquarters of the Singapore Ministry of Defense.

All three individuals are suspected of being leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah - a regional militant group believed to have links to the al-Qaida terrorist network.

Early this year, authorities in Singapore and Malaysia said they foiled plans by Jemaah Islamiyah to attack the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Singapore. Authorities in Singapore and the Philippines say the suspected terrorists hoped to sow dissent that would lead to the creation of an Islamic state in Southeast Asia.

Singapore and Malaysia have pushed Indonesia to arrest another alleged leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir.

Officials in those countries suspect him of being involved in various terrorist plots in the region. So far, Jakarta has refused to arrest him, saying it lacks evidence. Mr. Bashir denies ties to terrorist groups.

Mr. Al-Ghozi's agreement to testify is the latest revelation by regional governments about their efforts to tighten the noose around alleged terrorist groups.

Indonesian authorities confirmed Wednesday that they have detained a German national of Arab background they suspect of participating in terrorist acts in Indonesia. They say Seyam Reda is being held because of suspected immigration violations.

Indonesian officials also confirmed that three months ago they apprehended Omar al Faruq - a Kuwaiti national suspected of having links to al-Qaida. He is in U.S. military custody. His arrest was reportedly a result of U.S. intelligence about al-Qaida cells in Indonesia.

Indonesian Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says the government is trying to determine if the intelligence reports from abroad are correct. He adds the Indonesian police and intelligence officers are working on the matter.

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