Terror Trends Bulletin

This isn’t the first example of such a tactic by the Jihadists. Male terrorists have used burqas as disguises in Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel as well.

This is just one major reason why the burqa is problematic in the extreme in Western culture.

This also looks like an “inside job,” which would certainly not be unprecedented…

Convicted Terrorist Wears Burqa to Escape Jakarta Police Custody

Police have launched an internal investigation after a male terrorism convict escaped from a heavily guarded Jakarta detention facility, disguising himself as a woman veiled by a burqa, officials said on Wednesday. 

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar identified the escapee as 29-year-old Roki Aprisdianto, who was being held in a cell at the Jakarta Metro Police headquarters . He was serving a six-year prison term for masterminding a series of bombings in Central Java between December 2009 and January 2011. 

“[Roki] escaped on Tuesday at around 3 p.m. from the fourth floor, where he was supposed to be detained. At the time there was someone visiting him; we suspect [Roki] was wearing a burqa when he made the escape,” the police spokesman said. 

Another National Police spokesman, Insp. Gen. Suhardi Alius, put the time of escape at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, saying the lone police officer on duty on the floor, Brig. Sumardiyanto, only found out about the jailbreak after visitation hours were over at 3 p.m. 

“At the time there were dozens of women with veils who visited detainees. They all came and were told to leave their [identity cards], but we never make [visitors] open their veil before [visiting detainees],” Suhardi said. 

Suhardi said it was possible that one of the visitors carried an extra burqa or that one woman in a burqa left the facility without wearing her veil. 

The police spokesman admitted that the guards had failed to keep track of some 23 visitors who were wearing burqas that day during the identity card screening process. 

Tuesday is the only day of the week when some 70 terrorism convicts and suspects at the facility are allowed visitors. 

Ten police officers responsible for guarding the facility, including three counterterrorism officers, are now under investigation by the police’s internal affairs division. Three terrorism detainees have also been questioned as witnesses. 

“There is negligence,” Suhardi said, adding that the preliminary investigation had ruled out police officers’ involvement in the escape. “We will evaluate [the incident] and tighten security. For visitors with veils, we will place them in a special place and so on.” 

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said police are also examining footage from the facility’s detention cameras. 

Roki was arrested last year along with five of his followers, all of whom have been imprisoned. The terrorist cell was said to be responsible for a series of bomb attacks in Klaten, Kartasura and Solo, all in Central Java. 

The group had targeted churches and police posts. Police said the group is funded by the so-called Hisbah Team, led by slain terrorism suspect Sigit Qordowi, Sigit is said to be responsible for two suicide bomb attacks in 2010.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/convicted-terrorist-wears-burqa-to-escape-jakarta-police-custody/554811