Terorist suspects reject arms possession charges

Terorist suspects reject arms possession charges

Fidelito Ahmad, The Jakarta Post, Lamongan, East Java

Four of five defendants who stood trial at the district court in
Lamongan, East Java, rejected the government prosecutor's charges
that they have violated Law No. 12/1951 on the illegal possession
of arms and explosives and the anti-terror government regulation
in lieu of law No. 1/2002 on terrorism.

Lawyers who accompanied Sumarno, the nephew of Bali blast
defendant Amrozi, Qomar bin Thalib, Nurminda bin Thalib and
Nurfitrotullah, told the court that it was not clear what role
their clients played in the findings of the arms and ammunitions.

"The police and prosecutors should file evidence on who really
own the arms and ammunitions. If necessary, brothers Amrozi and
Ali Imron should be brought here to give their testimony on the
illegal arms," Fachmi Bachmid, one of the Muslim Lawyers Team,
said.

According to him, the prosecutor should mention his clients'
role they played in the case and seek evidence that they
allegedly hide the arms, explosives ammunitions.

In the previous separate court sessions last Monday,
prosecutors charged the five defendants of transporting arms and
explosives, possessing them illegally and hiding them.

The trial session which was presided over by judge Mariani was
adjourned until May 26, to hear the prosecutors' response to the
defendant's objection to the charges.