Family, school ties bind Indonesia's Islamic militants

Having betrayed his fellow jihadis and sided with police, former Islamic militant Nasir Abas has few friends in the radical Jemaah Islamiyah network -- but plenty of relatives. His brother-in-law, Mukhlas, awaits execution in an Indonesian island prison for his role in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings.  And although Abas insists his family bond with Mukhlas remains intact, he concedes there's little warmth. "He calls me an infidel. He says I'm not Muslim any more," Abas says of Mukhlas. Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) has long been a family affair, with deep roots extending back to early 20th century radical Islamism.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt