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.