Bombing suspects to hear verdicts

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The Makassar District Court will deliver its verdicts on Thursday on five people implicated in bomb attacks that claimed three lives in the South Sulawesi capital in December last year.

The defendants are Anthon bin Labasse, Masnur, Usman Nuraffan, Ilham Riyadi and Lukman, prosecutor Adriyanus said on Tuesday.

Twenty-year jail terms have been sought for Anthon and Masnur, 15 years for Usman, 12 years for Ilham, and 10 years for Lukman.

Adriyanus said the court expected to complete all the trials before the suspects' detention period expired on Oct. 20.

Of the 17 suspects linked to the bomb attacks on a car showroom and a McDonald's outlet, five have been sentenced -- Suriadu (7 years in jail), Imal Hamid (6 years), Chaerul (7 years), Suryadi Mas'ud (8 years), and Muh Tang alias Itang (7 years).

Three main suspects remain at large. -- Antara