Trial of Bali bombings next week

DENPASAR, Bali: The much-awaited trial of the Bali bombings will start on Monday next week, with the hearing of key defendant Amrozi.

Head of the Denpasar Public Court I Made Karna announced here on Monday that 41-year-old Amrozi, a native of Tenggulun village in the East Java's regency of Lamongan, would be charged with playing a vital logistical role in the terrorist attack that killed 202 victims, mostly foreigners, in October 2002.

Karna said the senior court officials were selecting five judges for the trial, with the result to be announced on Thursday.

The district court has prepared five courtrooms at the Nari Graha convention hall in Renon area, for the trial, in anticipation of a large turn-out of people. Karna said he was seeking permission to use the 5,000-seat Ngurah Rai Sport Hall for the trial.

Police has named 33 suspects in the case, 15 of them will appear in the trial. -- JP