Trial of embassy bomber to go ahead

JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court on Friday rejected a plea to drop terrorism charges against an extremist and ordered him to stand trial for his alleged role in last year's bombing at the Australian Embassy here.

Chief judge Roki Panjaitan said the charges against the defendant, Iwan Darmawan, alias Rois, alias Fajar, alias Yudhi, 29, had fulfilled "all formal and material requirements" to continue his trial.

Iwan was charged with involvement in the plot that led to the truck bombing in September 2004, in which 11 people were killed.

The defendant allegedly worked together with fugitive Malaysian terror suspects Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohd. Top to plan the attack.

The judges adjourned the trial until Tuesday when they will hear testimony from prosecution witnesses. --Antara