Ali Imron obtained guns from al-Ghozi

SURABAYA, East Java: Ali Imron, a defendant in high profile Bali bombing case, told a court on Thursday he had obtained two guns from Fathurrohman al-Ghozi, a leader of regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) who recently escaped from a Philippine maximum security prison.

The two Colt 45mm caliber pistols were given to Imron a few years ago by al-Ghozi to fight Christians in the sectarian conflicts in the Maluku capital of Ambon and the Central Sulawesi town of Poso.

Imron said the two guns were part of 12 firearms he handed over to his friend Sahri bin Syuhada, one month after the Bali bombings in October last year.

"The two guns were from al-Ghozi, while the other 10 were from Imam Samudra, Amrozi and others," said Imron in his testimony as a witness in the trial of Shari bin Syuhada in Lamongan District Court. The defendant is charged with possessing illegal weapons.

Like Imron, Imam and Amrozi are standing trial for planning and executing the bomb attacks in Bali, which killed 202 people. Imron acknowledged he also entrusted ammunition and raw materials to make bombs, including potassium chlorate, to Sahri. -- JP