Another Bali bomber gets receives life sentence

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

The Bali District Court sentenced Suranto Abdul Ghoni, alias Umar, alias Wayan, to life imprisonment on Monday for his role in the Bali bombings in October 2002.

Abdul Ghoni joined Ali Imron, Mubarok and Sarjiyo as Bali blast convicts who have received such a penalty for the act of terror that killed 202 people, mostly Australian holidaymakers.

"It has been proven in court beyond any doubt and in a manner in accordance with all legal requirements that the defendant is guilty of conspiring to carry out and plan a criminal act of terrorism. The defendant is also guilty of illegally obtaining, possessing and storing a firearm," presiding judge I Made Sudia said.

No suspect has so far escaped sentencing in trials of the perpetrators of the terror attacks in Bali, the worst since a group of militants linked to al-Qaeda launched simultaneous attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

Denpasar District Court is currently trying the last two of 34 suspects, but two other main suspects, Dulmatin and the Malaysian, Azahari, remain at large.

Sudia said Abdul Ghoni participated in the August 2002 meeting at Hernianto's house in the Central Java town, Surakarta. The plan to bomb Bali was conceived during the meeting.

"The defendant's action resulted in the tragic death of 202 innocent people. Hundreds more were wounded and numerous public facilities were damaged," Sudia added.

Police found a 38. caliber Smith and Wesson revolver along with 67 bullets in Abdul Ghoni's possession.

After consulting his lawyers, the 35-year-old defendant said he would challenge the verdict.

Prosecutor Putu Suparthajaya had sought a similar sentence.

In his indictment, he said the defendant had twice transferred large sums of money, Rp 15 million and Rp 20 million respectively, to another suspect, Amrozi, who later used the funds to purchase the materials used in the bombing and an L-300 minivan.

Both Abdul Ghoni and Amrozi were also responsible for packing at least 800 kilograms of potassium chlorate, 150 kilograms of sulfur and 80 kilograms of aluminum powder into 26 boxes prior to their delivery to Bali.

Main suspects Amrozi, Ali Gufron, alias Mukhlas, and Abdul Aziz, alias Imam Samudra, were sentenced to death while the rest received prison terms ranging from three years to life imprisonment.

The last two defendants in the trial, Heri Hafidin and Saad, still await their verdicts.