Mechanic is First to Go on Trial for Bali Bombing

A poorly-educated, Islamist car mechanic from rural east Java yesterday became the first person to stand trial over last October's triple bombing in Bali that killed at least 202 people, including 26 Britons.

Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, 40, who faces the death penalty under Indonesia's new anti-terrorism legislation, is accused of conspiring to commit terror, using violence, destruction of property and damaging public utilities.

He allegedly helped to plan the October 12 operation, bought most of the chemicals used in the three bombs, transported them to Bali, and bought and prepared the minibus used for the main device that exploded outside the Sari Club in Kuta.

Dubbed the smiling bomber after he grinned repeatedly when interviewed in front of the media, Mr Amrozi seemed to have finally realised the gravity of his position when he appeared in court in the island's main city.

He showed little emotion during the two-and-a-half-hour hearing, in a converted women's civil service centre, which was watched by hundreds of victims' relatives, members of the public, diplomats and journalists. The courtroom and the surrounding streets were tightly guarded by 3,000 police officers.

The defendant, whose own lawyers admit has "a simple mind", only spoke to confirm his identity and that he understood the indictment, although at times he was fidgeting and appeared to be struggling to follow the proceedings.

The prosecutors allege that Mr Amrozi and the 32 others held in connection with the bombings were driven by revenge for Muslims "suppressed and massacred by the US and the allies thereof in Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir, Halmahera Island, Ambon, [both in eastern Indonesia] and in Iraq".

The conspirators, most of whom were radicalised while under the tuition of Abu Bakar Ba'aysir, the alleged leader of the terrorist organisation Jemaah Islamiyah, decided at a meeting last August to "declare war" against the US and a plan was made for some bombing targets on Bali, the indictment said.

The targets chosen were the American consulate, the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar, which is opposite the Sari Club.

Investigators, who included more than 130 foreign forensics experts, believe the consulate bomb, which uprooted only a couple of trees, was triggered by mobile phone, while the Paddy's Bar explosion and probably the Sari Club blast were detonated by suicide bombers. Most of the fatalities were in the Sari Club.

Responding to the indictment, Mr Amrozi's six-strong defence team said the 33-page indictment "contained several holes", was "unclear" and "did not comply with the laws under which he is being charged".

They declined to discuss the substance of the charges because they said they had yet to receive a copy of the case dossier, which runs to well over 1,000 pages. The judge adjourned the case until next Monday to give the prosecution time to respond. The case is expected to last for months.

Most of Bali's streets were deserted as people were glued to the proceedings being broadcast live on television.

Putu Simon, who manages a shop selling wood carvings across the street from the Sari Club, took his television to work so he wouldn't miss the trial.

"My friends and I all said we just had to watch it," he said. "This trial was too important for us to miss if we are ever to get over what happened. But now that I have seen him in court I already feel better."

Bali's economy, almost two-thirds of which is linked to the tourist industry, was crippled by the bombing. Just as tourist arrivals started picking up in January, the industry was hit by the war in Iraq, which kept Europeans and Americans away, and by the Sars virus, which has almost brought Asian travel to a halt.

Some hotels have closed and many other tourist businesses are cutting back on staff. Local tourism officials say visitor arrivals are down from 5,000 a day to less than 1,500 and not showing any signs of a permanent turnaround.