Court proceeds with Marriott trial

Court proceeds with Marriott trial

JAKARTA: A panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court
decided on Tuesday to proceed with the trial of Mohammad Rais,
who was charged with responsibility for the Marriott bombing on
Aug. 5, 2003, rejecting the defense argument.

"The court has the authority to hear the case ... . According
to Criminal Court Procedure, the location of a trial can also be
determined based on the residence of witnesses," presiding judge
Johanes E. Binti told the court.

Lawyer Mohammad Toha earlier took exception to the authority
of the court because Rais, alias Edi Endra, 29, was arrested
before the bombing of the Marriott hotel, South Jakarta, and was
allegedly involved in a plotted act of terror -- along with
Malaysian fugitives Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohd. Top --
from September 2002 to January 2003, at some locations not in
South Jakarta.

The court adjourned the trial until Feb. 25 to hear witnesses
for the prosecutors. -- JP