Lawyers for blast suspects

JAKARTA (JP): Police have appointed a legal defense team for the seven suspects in the April 19 blast at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque, an officer said on Thursday.

"We have appointed a team for them and they (the suspects) agreed with our choice," city police detectives chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmodjo said.

The six-member team is from BKPW, a foundation of retired police officers, he said.

The police officially named the seven street musicians on Monday as suspects, but immediately apologized for missing details in linking the men to the crime.

Officers admitted they were unable to directly connect the suspects to the alleged architect of the plot.

They said that the mastermind and his accomplices carefully devised their scheme to avoid face-to-face contact with the suspects.

The seven have acknowledged their roles in the blast and reenacted their actions during the crime.(emf)