Bomb suspect regrets killing non-Americans

Wahyoe Boedhiwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Ali Imron, a key suspect in the Bali bomb blasts in October last year, said he felt "regret" after learning that most of the 202 victims killed in the attack were non-Americans.

"The bombing initially targeted Americans, whose country is the enemy of Islam," Imron told reporters here after his transfer from the custody of Bali police to the Bali Prosecutors' Office on Wednesday.

Before his interview with prosecutor, Imam pointed his hand in the air, forming a victory sign.

"The U.S. will be destroyed. God willing, there will be more bombs for the U.S.," he yelled.

The transfer marked the beginning of his prosecution.

Australians topped the list of people killed with 88 casualties.

The victims, mostly foreign tourists, were killed when bombs tore through the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar in Legian Street, Kuta. Hundreds of others were injured. A third bomb went off outside the U.S. Consulate in Renon, Denpasar, but no fatalities resulted.

Seven Americans were killed in the blasts, the worst terrorist attack since the attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, which were blamed on the al-Qaeda terror group.

Imron was the alleged driver of a L-300 van that was used by the terrorist cell, allegedly led by Imam Samudra, that carried the explosives that exploded outside the Sari Club.

Along with the file of Imron, police handed prosecutors 13 dossiers of other suspects, including that of Imam, on Wednesday.

The other files belong to Mujarod, Muhammad Yunus, Eko Hadi Prasetya, Iman Susanto, Sofyan Hadi, Firmansyah bin Edi Harun, Puryanto bin Yatimin, Muhajir, Syamsul Arifin, Sirojul Munir, Sukastopo bin Kartomiharjo and Mubarok.

They are facing sentences ranging from 15 years in jail to death, depending on their roles in the case.

There are a total of 33 suspects arrested so far, but only Amrozi has been brought to court.