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New BNPT chief wants to deradicalize 'big-fish' terrorists

Newly installed National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian aims to include "big-fish", or leading, terrorists in the agency's deradicalization programs as part of government efforts to combat terrorism.

Writer National (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Mon, March 21, 2016

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New BNPT chief wants to deradicalize 'big-fish' terrorists Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian is inaugurated as National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the State Palace on Wednesday. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)

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ewly installed National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian aims to include "big fish", or leading, terrorists in the agency's deradicalization programs as part of government efforts to combat terrorism.

Tito, who was installed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Wednesday, said his agency needed to switch focus to the big fish of terrorism, in the wake of several cases of terror acts being planned behind bars.

BNPT considers leading terrorists to have ingrained radical convictions, but believes they can be persuaded to abandon these beliefs and return to normal lives.

"It may work and it may not work. There are some that have been successfully [deradicalized], but I don't want to mention names. It requires special treatment," Tito said on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com.

The cases included a military training camp in Aceh in 2004 that was plotted within Jakarta's Cipinang Penitentiary and allegedly involved terrorist convict Abubakar Baasyir, the spiritual leader of Islamic organization Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT).

Meanwhile, a January attack conducted in Jakarta by four terrorists was allegedly planned on Nusakambangan prison island by terror convicts Aman Abdurrahman and Iwan Darmawan Mutho. The police have also revealed  that two of the perpetrators of the Jakarta attack, Afif and Muhammad Ali, had also been imprisoned on terror charges.

"That means there is something that is not working. Their rehabilitation was ineffective. As such, we need improvement," said the former Jakarta Police chief.

Techniques used to deradicalize big-fish terrorists include moderate teachings and communication restriction, Tito said, but declined to elaborate. (rin)

 

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