KFC bomber faces death sentence

MAKASSAR: The alleged mastermind of a series of bombings in Makassar, South Sulawesi, that killed three people went on trial on Monday and faces the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors accuse Agung Abdul Hamid and five others of planning bomb attacks on local outlets of fast-food giants McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a car showroom NV Hadji Kalla on Dec. 5, 2002.

The 38-year old Agung was charged under tough laws on terrorism that carry a maximum sentence of death. He was also charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

In a heavily guarded court session, prosecutors took turns to read the 400-page indictment.

Prosecutors said that Agung and his colleagues launched the deadly bomb attacks because there were not satisfied with the results of peace talks ending the sectarian conflict in Poso, Central Sulawesi. The peace negotiations were brokered by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who at the time was coordinating minister for people's welfare.

They said that Agung played the role of field coordinator and financier of the bomb attack.

Agung went on the run for almost two years before he was arrested in the university city of Yogyakarta, in central Java, last October.

Police have said some of those involved in the Makassar bombings were associated with militants involved in the blasts in Bali on October 12, 2002 that killed 202 people.

Investigators have blamed the Bali attack on Jemaah Islamiyah, an Al-Qaeda-linked regional terror network.

The trial was adjourned for one week. -- JP