JAKARTA, 11 February 2006 - An Islamic militant with suspected links to a Southeast Asian terrorist group has been detained in central Indonesia, police said Saturday. Brig. Gen. Bambang Suwedi said an Islamic teacher in the town of Poso in Central Sulawesi province was arrested Thursday morning.

Bambang said police acted on reports that the teacher, known only as Sahal, had links to Malaysian fugitive Noordin Top, an operative with the al-Qaida linked Jemaah Islamiah group, which has been blamed bombings since 2000 that have left more than 245 dead.

"He (Sahal) was questioned by the anti-terror unit in Jakarta," said Bambang, who leads a special police task force on the conflict in Poso, where religious clashes have left 1,000 dead 1999. He said police could hold Sahal for a week before formally declaring him a suspect.

  02 December 2008 · Indonesia exports in October down 11.6 percent
  01 December 2008 · Bank Indonesia to withdraw four banknotes from 1998 issue
  30 November 2008 · Garuda set to receive new airplanes starting in 2009
  29 November 2008 · Fewer people flying domestic in Indonesia
  28 November 2008 · Anti-corruption watchdog detains relative of Yudhoyono
  28 November 2008 · Yudhoyono orders Bakrie Group to pay mud flow damages
  27 November 2008 · Wild elephants kill one in Aceh province
  26 November 2008 · EU extends flight ban on Indonesian airlines
  25 November 2008 · Masked robbers steal three million Rupiah 'money for the poor'
  24 November 2008 · Anti-corruption watchdog seizes 194 bn Rupiah from state officials