Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has confirmed that Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, will face trial in the United States in November 2025. Hambali, a former senior member of Jamaah Islamiyah, has been detained at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay for more than 20 years without trial.
“The last news we heard is that the military court of the United States will start adjudicating in November this year, but there are no final developments,” Yusril said in response to ANTARA at the Coordinating Ministry for Law and Human Rights Office, Jakarta, Thursday.
According to Yusril, the information regarding the upcoming trial was conveyed during recent discussions with representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta. “We had mentioned the issue of Hambali during the embassy’s visit to my office, but they said they also did not have much information on the matter,” Yusril said.
“We hope that the US government can provide the latest developments regarding Hambali’s status,” Yusril said in a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Peter Haymond in Jakarta on Thursday (21/8).
Held in Guantanamo for Over Two Decades
Hambali, who is accused of being one of the masterminds behind the 2002 Bali bombings, was captured after years on the run. He was subsequently transferred to Guantanamo Bay at the request of the United States government. Despite his prolonged detention, legal proceedings against him had not yet begun until the confirmation of this year’s trial schedule was received.
Yusril previously raised concerns about Hambali’s prolonged detention during a meeting with U.S. officials in August. The minister emphasized that the case had been pending for an extended period and required legal resolution through the proper judicial process.
Background and Earlier Discussions
Yusril first discussed the plan to repatriate Hambali to Indonesia at the beginning of 2025. However, the initiative requires coordination among several ministries and government agencies. According to Yusril, the government has not set a specific timeline for the repatriation, noting that the issue is not currently among the government’s top priorities.
“After all, Hambali is an Indonesian citizen. No matter how wrong our citizens are abroad, we still have to pay attention,” said Yusril in Jakarta, Friday (17/1) night.
Hambali’s case has long drawn attention due to its connection to major acts of terrorism in Southeast Asia. He is widely believed to have played a central role in orchestrating attacks linked to the militant network Jamaah Islamiyah, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people.
Awaiting Legal Proceedings
Yusril explained that while the U.S. government had confirmed the trial timeline, Indonesian authorities were still awaiting further information from official channels.
Hambali’s legal process in the United States is expected to take place before a military court. This marks a significant step in a case that has remained unresolved for over two decades, with Hambali held in detention since his capture in the early 2000s.
“Until today, (Hambali) has never been tried because he faces a number of problems, because what is being treated is US military law and not civilian law,” he said on a different occasion in Jakarta, Tuesday (21/1).
The Indonesian government continues to monitor the situation through diplomatic communication with the United States. While discussions on a potential repatriation have been initiated, Yusril underlined that the process would involve extensive inter-ministerial coordination.
