Prosecutors defend Ba'asyir charges

JAKARTA: Prosecutors disputed on Thursday a claim by Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir that he was illegally being tried twice on the same charges.

"The first case against (Ba'asyir) involved his alleged efforts to establish an Islamic state here, while now he is on trial for terrorism," chief prosecutor Salman Maryadi told the court.

Ba'asyir is charged with playing a role in the 2002 Bali bombings and the 2003 Jakarta Marriott Hotel attack.

Before adjourning the trial until Nov. 25, presiding judge Sudarto refused the cleric's request to be allowed to celebrate Idul Fitri at home with his family. Ba'asyir has been detained since 2002.

During the session, police arrested a man identified as Abu Bakar Floresi for bringing a knife and a screwdriver into the courtroom. -- JP