The highly anticipated trial of hard-line cleric Abu Bakar Bashir opened under tight security at the South Jakarta District Court on Monday, with hundreds of his supporters demonstrating outside.
Thirteen prosecutors are set to take turns reading a 250-page indictment. Bashir is standing trial on seven charges, including leading and financing the paramilitary training activities of a group of suspected militants in Aceh who were the target of a series of raids early last year. The cleric could face the death penalty if convicted.
Before the hearing started, Bashir asked the presiding judge Herry Swantoro not to be picked up by a steel-plated car known as barracuda.
"Your Honor, please change the car because it's difficult for me to climb up and down. Just give me a normal car."
His request was granted.
The hearing should have started last week, but before the prosecutors could start reading the indictment, the 72-year-old defendant called them out over a legal technicality.
A big screen has been set up at the court parking area for the hundreds of supporters outside, mostly members of the Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) Islamic group founded by Bashir who had arrived in Jakarta from West Java and Central Java since early in the morning. JAT draws support from thousands of often unemployed youth who attend public rallies and sermons by firebrand preachers.
According to a copy of the indictment seen by the Jakarta Globe, the JAT is connected to a clandestine extremist group dubbed the Al Qaeda in Aceh.
The group was allegedly planning a Mumbai-style assault on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and guests during the Independence Day ceremony at the State Palace last August.
The group allegedly stockpiled weapons and carried out training in Aceh’s jungle-covered mountains.
The hearing is ongoing.
(x the Jak Globe)
ma 14 feb 2011 - 6:47