Solved case · 2004
The short answer
A bomb hidden under a table exploded inside the Sampoddo Indah karaoke cafe in Palopo, Indonesia, on 10 January 2004, killing four people and injuring three others.
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Suggest coverage for 2004 Palopo Cafe BombingOn the night of 10 January 2004, at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time (UTC+8), an improvised explosive device detonated beneath table number 11 inside the Sampoddo Indah karaoke cafe in Palopo, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The cafe was located about 4 kilometres from downtown Palopo on the road to Makassar. The explosion killed four people and injured three others. The deceased were later identified as Abdul Rahman, Ambo, and Sumarni (age 39), all residents of Palopo, and Suratman, who was from another city. The blast was reportedly heard up to 2 kilometres away, and most patrons in the cafe fled through a back door before police arrived.
Witnesses told investigators that two men had scouted the cafe over two separate weekends prior to the attack, staying briefly before leaving each time. On the night of the bombing, the same two men returned, sat at table No. 11 near the cafe's entrance, ordered drinks they did not finish, and left before the device — believed to have been remotely detonated — exploded.
In the investigation that followed, police interviewed 17 witnesses the day after the attack and produced preliminary sketches of two suspects. Eighteen days after the bombing, police arrested four suspects and charged them in connection with the attack. Authorities said they were also seeking roughly ten additional suspects, and stated that those already arrested had reportedly trained together at a Laskar Jihad-run camp in Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi.
On 1 February 2004, Jasmin bin Kasau was arrested in Noling village, Luwu Regency. He later confessed to involvement in the bombing, describing it as "part of a jihad against vice in nightclubs and bars." Evidence seized from bin Kasau included an FN MAG firearm, ammonium nitrate, and several pipes. Jasmin bin Kasau and three co-defendants were subsequently convicted and each sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. Bin Kasau later escaped from Gunungsari Penitentiary in Makassar in 2007.
A bomb explodes under table No. 11 at the Sampoddo Indah karaoke cafe in Palopo, killing four people and injuring three others.
Police interview 17 witnesses and produce preliminary sketches of two suspects.
Police arrest four suspects and charge them in connection with the bombing.
Jasmin bin Kasau is arrested in Noling village, Luwu Regency, and later confesses to the bombing.
Jasmin bin Kasau escapes from Gunungsari Penitentiary in Makassar.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
Resident of Palopo killed in the bombing.[3]
Resident of Palopo killed in the bombing.[3]
Resident of Palopo, aged 39, killed in the bombing.[3]
Killed in the bombing; resident of another city.[3]
Arrested 1 February 2004, confessed to the bombing, and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment; escaped from Gunungsari Penitentiary in 2007.[3]
From the record
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