Prosecutors seek 10 years for Marriott bomber

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The prosecution is seeking a 10-year jail sentence for Muhammad Rais for his alleged involvement in the JW Marriott Hotel bombing on Aug. 12, 2003.

Prosecutor Andi Herman told the South Jakarta District Court on Tuesday that Rais was guilty of involvement in the bombing, which terrorized the public.

In his indictment, the prosecutor said the defendant was fully responsible for his actions, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including the bomber, with 147 others injured.

In mitigation, the prosecutor said the defendant admitted his guilt and had expressed remorse.

Presiding judge Johanes Ether Binti adjourned the trial until next week to hear defense arguments.

Earlier, the same court delayed the opening hearing in the trial of another defendant in the Marriott bombing.

Prosecutor Tubagus Arief Aziz told the court that the defendant, Joni Hendrawan, alias Idris, alias Gembrot, was unable to appear in court because he was being treated for back pain at Pertamina Hospital. Idris is being detained at the Jakarta Police Headquarters.

Presiding judge Asnawati adjourned the trial until next week.

Tubagus told reporters that the defendant was also being charged with helping to assemble the bombs used in the Bali terrorist attack in October 2000.

In the Marriott case, Idris is alleged to have transported the explosives used in the bombing from Pekanbaru, Riau, to Bengkulu and then to Jakarta in August 2003.

Tubagus said Idris was being charged under Law No. 15/2003 on terrorism, which carries a maximum sentence of death.

He said prosecutors had secured statements from 100 witnesses, including Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Mukhlas, who have been sentenced to death for their roles in the Bali bombings.