Man accused of masterminding Bali bombings goes on trial

AN Afghanistan-trained militant who prosecutors say wanted to wage war on the United States went on trial yesterday on charges of masterminding last year’s Bali nightclub bombings.

Imam Samudra, 32, is accused of planning and carrying out the October 12 attacks, that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. He is suspected of being a key figure in the al-Qaida-linked terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been blamed for the bombings.

If found guilty, Samudra could be sentenced to death under anti-terror laws passed in the weeks after the bombings.