Marriott bomber defense delayed

JAKARTA: Lawyers acting for Moh. Rais, a defendant in the Marriott bombing last August, failed on Wednesday to present their client's defense plea at the Central Jakarta District Court.

Although the prosecutors expressed their disagreement, presiding judge Johannes Eter Binti adjourned the trial to Monday to give time for the lawyers to prepare their defense plea, on condition that there would be no more delay.

Rais lawyer Moh. Toha said that they had to prepare the defense on various grounds because the case had drawn attention from the international community.

Rais was defended by a team of lawyers from the Retired Police Legal Aid Foundation, saying previously that he had given his lawyers authority to prepare the argument.

The defendant was accused of masterminding the Hotel Marriott bombing, which killed 12 people including Asmar Latin Sani, an alleged suicide bomber, and injured 147 others, on Aug. 5, 2003.

He was charged under Law No. 15/2003 on terrorism and could face the death penalty if convicted. -- JP