Bali bomb lawyers wind up case against cleric

Indonesian prosecutors are making their final push to convict militant Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir on terrorism charges related…

Indonesian prosecutors are making their final push to convict militant Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir on terrorism charges related to the October 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali and the 2003 blast at Jakarta's JW Marriott Hotel.

The cleric (66) has repeatedly denied the charges, which he says resulted from Western pressure on Indonesia.

Prosecutors had earlier cited a lack of evidence when they dropped a primary charge that Bashir had incited terror attacks as the leader of the militant, al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah (JI) network in Southeast Asia.

State prosecutor Salman Maryadi told the court today that Bashir knew about JI's explosives training when he visited a training camp in the Philippines' restive south.

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"The defendant never prevented JI members from executing the bombing. So, if the participants of the camp's military training made and exploded the bomb, in the name of jihad, there is obviously an intention of the defendant," he said.

The trial, which began in October, was adjourned until Friday when the defence will make their final statement. A verdict is expected in early March.

Last week, Bashir told the court the charges against him were ordered by US President George W. Bush, who "hired the Indonesian police to catch me and send me to the United States".

Prosecutors stopped short of demanding the death penalty for Bashir, asking instead for jail sentence of eight years.

The relatively light sentence they asked for could raise concerns in Indonesia and the international community among those who have been watching the trial as a litmus test for Indonesia's commitment in the war of terror.