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Another Bali Bomber Suspect Stands Trial in Indonesia - 2004-04-27


Indonesia has opened the trial of another Bali bomber suspect, who is also charged in the attack on the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta.

The 31-year-old suspect, known as Idris, stands accused of being a key player in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings, which killed 202 people. He is also charged with being one of the main plotters of the J.W. Marriott hotel attack in 2003, which left 12 people dead.

Idris, who also used the names Joni Hendrawan and Gembrot, is accused of planning the attacks, purchasing explosives and personally triggering one explosion close to the U.S. Consulate the same night as the Bali bombings. No one was killed in that blast.

Idris has admitted his involvement, saying he is part of a holy war against oppression of Muslims.

At the start of his trial in the South Jakarta district court, the defendant made a short statement. He said he hopes that what he had done was right and that God would accept it, or forgive him if it was wrong.

The regional terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah, is responsible for both attacks in Indonesia. The group aims to create a pan-Islamic state across much of Southeast Asia and has links to the al-Qaida terrorist network.

Only one of the more than 30 Jemaah Islamyah members, that have been put on trial for the bomb attacks, has shown any remorse for the loss of life they caused. He was given a life sentence. Three of the masterminds have been sentenced to death. If he is found guilty, Idris could soon join them on death row.

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