Indonesia allows U.S. to try terror suspect Hambali at Guantanamo

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, and Immigration Yusril Ihza Mahendra has indicated that Indonesia permits the United States to prosecute terror suspect Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali. Hambali is currently detained at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Since he was arrested by American agents and detained in Guantanamo, it is better to say that the U.S. government can try this case," Mahendra stated on Friday in Jakarta. He added that the Indonesian government continues to receive updates on Hambali's case from the U.S. military, which is handling the legal proceedings.

Hambali, who was reportedly arrested using Thai and Spanish passports, has family in Indonesia, leading to his association with the country. Mahendra noted that Hambali's legal team frequently visits Indonesia to gather defense materials by meeting with his family. "The Indonesian government has no desire to repatriate the individual here," Mahendra emphasized.

Hambali is accused by the U.S. military of participating in numerous international terrorist acts and is considered the mastermind behind the 2002 Bali bombings. After more than two decades in detention, he is now on trial at a U.S. military court. Born in Cianjur, West Java, on April 4, 1964, Hambali has used many aliases and is widely regarded as the architect of various terrorist attacks in the early 2000s.