Court jails Bali bombing planner for life

An Afghan-trained militant who apologised to relatives of Bali bombing victims during his trial has been sentenced to life in…

An Afghan-trained militant who apologised to relatives of Bali bombing victims during his trial has been sentenced to life in Indonesia for helping plan and finance the attack.

Mubarok, a 34-year-old Indonesian, was convicted of attending planning meetings for the October 12th, 2002, explosions and using his bank account to deposit money later used to buy chemicals and the van for the attack.

Mubarok, whose real name is Hutumo Pamungkas, had faced a possible death sentence but was given life imprisonment because of his confession and remorse, presiding judge I Nengah Suryada said.

His lawyers said the defence has not yet decided whether to appeal against the sentence. The Bali bombing killed 202 people including 28 Britons.

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Mubarok, like many of the key defendants, learned bomb making and weapons handling in Afghanistan and later helped train fellow terrorists in camps in the Philippines. But unlike several of the defendants, who declared the attack was justified to avenge the suffering of Muslims, Mubarok expressed regret.

At one point during the trial, he told the court: "I feel so sorry for what I've done. I hope the families can forgive me." About 10 relatives and friends of victims were in the courtroom. One shouted "thank you" to the five-judge panel after the verdict was read.

Mubarok slumped in his chair during the verdict and said nothing as he was led out of the courtroom. Indonesian courts have handed down three death sentences and two life terms, including Mubarok's, for the Bali blasts. More than three dozen suspects have been arrested, with 28 convictions so far.