skip to main content

Trial of man accused of Bali bombings begins

Umar Patek is charged with premeditated murder and assembling bombs for the October 2002 Bali nightclub attacks
Umar Patek is charged with premeditated murder and assembling bombs for the October 2002 Bali nightclub attacks

A 45-year-old Muslim militant has gone on trial in Indonesia on charges relating to the 2002 Bali bombings.

Umar Patek is charged with premeditated murder for the October Bali nightclub attacks, which killed 202 people.

Mr Patek also faces five other counts, including bomb-making and illegal firearms possession. Prosecutors say they will push for the death penalty.

He was arrested in the same Pakistani town where US commandos later killed Osama bin Laden.

Amid a security lockdown, with anti-terrorism units deployed in Jakarta, Mr Patek arrived at the court in an armoured police vehicle.

He gave a thumbs up gesture with his handcuffed hands, but said nothing.

Mr Patek is also charged in relation to strikes on churches in Jakarta on Christmas Eve of 2000.

"Defendant Umar Patek committed an evil conspiracy with others to commit a crime by bringing in, obtaining, providing or owning firearms, ammunition or explosive materials and other dangerous materials to carry out terrorism," prosecutor Widodo Supriady said in court.

The West Jakarta district courtroom was packed with about 100 spectators, more than half of whom were journalists.

Mr Patek, facing a panel of five judges, was flanked by prosecutors and defence lawyers, who say attempts are being made to paint him as a Bali bombings mastermind.

After the session was adjourned until next Monday, he shook hands with judges and prosecutors and smiled as he was escorted from the courtroom.

The trial of Mr Patek, believed to be a key member of the Al-Qaeda-linked Southeast Asian terror network Jemaah Islamiyah, is expected to last over four months as prosecutors present evidence from 86 witnesses.