Militant Indonesian Islamic Cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir will be formally indicted over the bombing of Jakata"s Marriott Hotel last year that killed 12
people. If found guilty he could face the death penalty. Bashir has been linked to Jemaah Islamiyah otherwise known as J.I. and has been in
Indonesian custody for over a year. He has also been linked to the 2002 Bali bombing which claimed 202 lives.
news.com.au
INDONESIAN prosecutors have formally charged militant Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir with involvement in a suicide bombing last year at Jakarta"s
JW Marriott hotel in which 12 people died.
South Jakarta district court official Yunda Hasbi said the trial was expected to begin in about two weeks. If found guilty Bashir could face the death
penalty under Indonesia"s tough anti-terrorism laws.
Prosecutors are expected to focus on his alleged leadership of Jemaah Islamiyah, an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group authorities say is behind the
Marriott and other attacks, including the October 2002 Bali bombings.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
The indictment, which is 65 pages long, contains information claiming that Bashir incited others to terrorism and planned terrorism. Bashir is also
accused of providing information to terrorist and withholding information about certain acts.
Bashir has openly described Osama bin Laden as a "true muslim fighter". Bashir states that this is an attempt to "smear his name by enemies of
Islam." Bashir is not being charged with the Australian embassy bombing, but is linked with the Bali bombing and the attack of the Marriot Hotel in
Jarkarta, where 9 people died.
[edit on 15-10-2004 by Banshee]