‘Smiling terrorist’ on trial for Bali bombings

THE man dubbed the “smiling terrorist” went on trial yesterday for the bombings of two Bali nightclubs packed with tourists — an attack prosecutors said was aimed at punishing Washington and its allies for their perceived oppression of the world’s Muslims.

Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, a 40-year-old mechanic, is the first of 33 suspects accused in the October 20 2002 bombings on the resort island. It was the world's bloodiest terror attack since September 11, killing at least 202 people. If convicted, the suspects could be executed under tough new anti-terrror laws. Prosecutors say

Amrozi bought bomb-making materials and a minivan used in the attack, making the purchases and helping coordinate the car bombing while on his home island of Java.

The 33-page indictment did not say where Amrozi was on the night of the attacks at the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar. But it described him as one of the plotters who talked about the obligations of Muslims on behalf of other Muslims "who have been oppressed and slaughtered by the United States and its allies in Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir ... and Iraq."

The trial is seen as a test of Indonesia's willingness to crack down on radical Islamic groups in the world's most populous Muslim nation and like most high-profile trials here is being televised nationally.

It also could shed light on the inner workings of Jemaah Islamiyah, the al-Qaida-linked group blamed for the carnage on Bali as part of wider campaign to establish a Southeast Asian Islamic state. A police convoy brought Amrozi to a courthouse packed with spectators, including survivors and relatives of the dead. Hundreds of officers, including bomb squads and sharpshooters, stood guard outside the court, a short drive from the tourist strip where the bombings happened. Roadblocks were set up and security force helicopters hovered. Amrozi got his nickname in the Indonesian media when he grinned and giggled in front of news crews after his arrest last November. He exhibited none of that cockiness yesterday, giving only single-word answers to questions from the five-judge panel, including his age, religion and whether he had a criminal record. He declined twice to address the court.

Prosecutors say they have a confession from Amrozi, testimony from 102 witnesses, and physical evidence such as receipts for the explosives and the chassis of the minivan used in the attack. But defence attorneys say the case fails to prove Amrozi actively took part.

The trial was adjourned until next Monday.