Indonesian woman jailed for Jakarta palace bomb plot

An Indonesian woman who was planning to blow herself up outside Jakarta’s presidential palace has been jailed for seven and a half years. 

Dian Yulia Novi, 28, was arrested late last year on suspicion of plotting to blow herself up outside the palace during the changing of the guard. She was arrested along with her husband, Muhamad Nur Solikin.

It is the first time a woman has been convicted in Indonesia for planning such an attack. 

Indonesian militant Dian Yulia Novi, centre, is flanked by her husband Nur Solihin, right, and her recruiter Tutin as they sit on the defendant’s bench during their trial hearing at East Jakarta District Court in Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesian militants, left to right; Tutin, Dian Yulia Novi, her husband Nur Solihin, and Agus Supriyadi sit on the defendants bench during their trial hearing in the East Jakarta District Court in Jakarta

Indonesian militants, left to right; Tutin, Dian Yulia Novi, her husband Nur Solihin, and Agus Supriyadi sit on the defendants bench during their trial hearing in the East Jakarta District Court in Jakarta

Dian Yulia Novi (second left), was arrested last year on suspicion of plotting to blow herself up outside the presidential palace in Jakarta during a changing of the guard ceremony, stands trial along with her husband Muhammad Nur Solihin (second right) and co-defendants Ika Puspita Sari (left), Agus Supriyadi (right) in a court in Jakarta

Dian Yulia Novi (second left), was arrested last year on suspicion of plotting to blow herself up outside the presidential palace in Jakarta during a changing of the guard ceremony, stands trial along with her husband Muhammad Nur Solihin (second right) and co-defendants Ika Puspita Sari (left), Agus Supriyadi (right) in a court in Jakarta

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has seen a surge in homegrown militancy inspired by Islamic State, and has grappled with a series of small-scale attacks in the past two years.

Prosecutors had demanded a 10-year sentence for Novi, whom they said received instructions to carry out the attack from Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian militant believed to be fighting with Islamic State in Syria.

Novi’s lawyer said Monday: ‘Her sentence was reduced because she admitted to her actions.’ 

Judges delivered the verdict earlier than expected because Novi is pregnant and due to give birth in early September, her lawyer said. 

She is detained at a Jakarta area facility.

Her husband is on trial for the same plot. His next hearing, at which he is expected to enter a plea, is scheduled for September 6.

Kamsi said Novi, who was believed to be radicalized through social media while employed as a domestic worker in Taiwan, did not intend to appeal her verdict.

An Indonesian Marine tank rolls past the Presidential Palace in central Jakarta (file photo)

An Indonesian Marine tank rolls past the Presidential Palace in central Jakarta (file photo)

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron inspects the honour guards during he visits the State Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 11 April 2012

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron inspects the honour guards during he visits the State Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 11 April 2012

Police said they had intercepted a letter that Novi intended to send to her parents stating her intention to carry out jihad. 

Later an unexploded bomb was found in a room the woman had rented in Bekasi, about an hour outside Jakarta.

Counter-terrorism forces are worried that militants may be using new and more sophisticated tactics to try and carry out attacks – like recruiting female suicide bombers or using dangerous chemicals to make ‘dirty bombs’.

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