Bomb maker trials commence

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

The Cibinong District Court began on Monday the trial against Oman Rochman, alias Aman Abdurrahman, a teacher of Islam, for allegedly masterminding a terrorist attack and giving orders to make bombs.

The court also heard the cases of his suspected accomplices -- Agus Kusdiyanto, Muhamad Ferdiansyah Putra Musahid, Inggrid Wahyu Cahyaningsih and Hadi Suwandono, alias Ubaidah, in separate hearings.

Prosecutor Lukman Rumaedi told the court that Oman and Syaiful, alias Harun, alias Fathurrobi -- who is still at large -- had met several times at different locations between December 2003 and March 2004 to discuss a bomb attack.

Prosecutors accused Oman of violating the Antiterrorism Law and the 1951 Emergency Law on possession and making of explosives. The laws carry a maximum death sentence.

They said Oman deployed his pupils to undergo bomb-making and militia training, and took out charity funds to finance their activities.

Militia training was reportedly conducted in January at the University of Indonesia campus in Depok, where participants were clad in long-sleeved, black T-shirts reading Al-Asad Outdoor Activities Club, while bomb-making was taught at Inggrid's mother's house on Jl. Bakti ABRI, Cimanggis.

Residual material from the explosives training apparently blew up the house on March 21.

The court is set to hear on Tuesday the cases of four other defendants: Syarif Hidayat, Kamaludin, Samin Saan and Septiono, alias Amar, alias Widi.

Two other suspects, Inggrid's husband Andri Susanto, alias Kholid, and Achmad Milan are still on the run.