INDONESIA: An Indonesian court yesterday sentenced to death the man who commanded the Bali nightclub bombings, wrapping up the trials of the four main accused ahead of the first anniversary of the atrocity.
Mukhlas, who now joins a younger brother on death row, shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) as the verdict was announced. He said he would appeal.
"We hereby declare the defendant has been proven legally and convincingly guilty of collectively plotting crimes of terrorism and possession of firearms without permission. We impose the death sentence," said Judge Tjokorda Rai Suamba.
Mukhlas, alias Ali Gufron, was the fourth key suspect to be convicted for the October 12th attacks and the third to be sentenced to death by firing squad. He was accused of overall responsibility for the blasts, which killed 202 people, mainly foreign tourists partying in nightclubs.
Jakarta also wants to put an Indonesian preacher called Hambali on trial over Bali, blaming the alleged operational brains of the south-east Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah for funding the bombing operation. Hambali has been in US custody since his arrest in Thailand in August.
Mukhlas remained defiant throughout his trial and refused to co-operate with investigators, angering survivors and the victims' families.
Dressed in a white skullcap, grey Muslim shirt and dark trousers, he smiled at reporters as police with automatic rifles escorted him from an armoured vehicle into court at the start of the session.
There were few spectators on hand, but Mr Jan Laczynski, an Australian who has attended other sessions, said in Indonesian as the suspect passed: "Death for you today, Mukhlas." Australia lost 88 citizens in the attacks.
The Denpasar district court sent the first two key suspects, Amrozi, Mukhlas's younger brother, and another Indonesian, Imam Samudra, to death row. A third brother, Ali Imron, received a life sentence after he co-operated with authorities, showed remorse and urged family and followers not to imitate him.
"In many ways this is the most important fortnight for Australia because we will get a sense of closure. The four key players are out of the way now, and we look forward to the \ ceremonies on October 12th," Mr Laczynski said.
A spokesman in Canberra for the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Alexander Downer, said the government did not plan to protest over the sentence, despite the country having no death penalty.
"The verdict again sends a strong signal to terrorists the world over that the international community will not sit back and allow them to strike with impunity," the spokesman said.
The court has so far convicted 17 people, out of more than 30 facing trial, for their roles in the bombings. Another trial in Bali yesterday sentenced Hamzah Baya, accused of hiding Imron in his home after the blasts, to six years in jail.
Jakarta blames the Bali attacks on Jemaah Islamiah, which has links to al-Qaeda.