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