At the request of the Indonesian AGC and Police, the testimonies of 3 Jemaah Islamiyah detainees in Singapore will be given via video-conferencing at the trial of Abu Bakar Bashir today.

The three detainees are Jaafar Mistooki, Hashim Abas and Faiz Bafana (photos provided). An Indonesian judge, 2 prosecutors and Indonesian embassy officials, including an intepreter, were present during the examination of the witnesses at the Singapore end. The Indonesian authorities have informed that the defense team has declined to be represented at the Singapore end to observe the proceedings directly. The "live" video-conferencing is held under tight security at the conference room of the former Ministry of Home Affairs office complex at Phoenix Park.

The Indonesian authorities also asked if access could be given to members of the Indonesian media. The Singapore authorities have acceded to this. Arrangements were made to accommodate some members of the Indonesian and Singapore media within the limits of security and physical constraints of the venue, to observe the proceedings directly.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

26 JUNE 2003