The alleged mastermind of the Bali bombings angered judges when he claimed ignorance about aspects of the attacks while testifying at the trial of an alleged bombmaker. "You have sworn to tell the truth," one of the judges cautioned Abdul Azis, alias Imam Samudra, who frequently replied "I don't know" to questions at the trial of Ali Imron. Though charged with terrorism and both facing possible death sentences if convicted, Imron and Samudra have brought different attitudes to the courtroom. Samudra has remained defiant, appearing bearded and in traditional Muslim garb, while Imron has worn a jacket and tie to court and apologised for his actions.
| Seems to be making the assumption that his Islamobuddies will get him off or spring him before he takes the high jump... |
Samudra, 33, testified he did not know who carried out the attacks and whether they were linked to a particular organisation. He has already said in his own trial that he intentionally did not want to know the details of the attacks to protect himself and other members of the group in case of arrest. On Monday he admitted he had travelled to Bali with others accused in the attack but said this was because he had wanted to open a cargo business and Internet cafe there. He said he had always tried to wage jihad, or holy war, but when asked whether the Bali bombings were part of a jihad, he replied, "I don't know."
Prosecutors say Samudra masterminded the bombings, picked the targets and assigned a man called Amrozi to buy one tonne of bomb-making chemicals and a van to carry a bomb. He has previously denied acting as a planner of the Bali attack but said he was morally responsible for the bombings. Imron, also 33, admitted before his trial to helping to assemble one of the bombs. He is accused of helping a fugitive Malaysian called Dr Azahari to help build from chemicals and TNT a bomb that was placed inside the van that exploded outside the Sari Club in Bali's Kuta strip. Imron is also accused, together with a man called Idris who was arrested in June, of teaching a suicide bomber how to detonate an explosives-stuffed vest. The bomber, named Feri alias Isa, wore the vest that caused the first explosion at Paddy's, a bar across the road from Sari Club.
Imron is the only Bali bombing accused to publicly express remorse for the attack. He made another apology on Monday when a hotel owner testified about the massive financial loss he suffered because of the bombings. Ketut Warta said he lost 350 million rupiah ($US41,000) when his Hotel Sari Kasuma, located near Paddy's, burned in the explosions. "I can personally say I'm sorry because that situation has brought a great loss...," Imron said.
His trial was adjourned until Wednesday. A total of more than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the Bali bombings. Amrozi, the first to be tried, will receive his verdict on Thursday local time. |