Marriott bomber defense delayed

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