Militant faces Bali bombing charges

An Islamic militant who prosecutors say fought for Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan went on trial today accused of overall responsibility for last year’s Bali bombings.

Meanwhile, three Australian survivors of the blasts testified at the trial of another suspect, telling of their horror when two bombs exploded in a popular nightclub district, killing 202 people.

Ali Ghufron, a 43-year-old Islamic preacher, is said to be the operations chief of Jemaah Islamiyah, the al-Qaida linked regional Islamic group blamed for the October 12 blasts.

Dressed in a white Muslim shirt and skull cap, he raised his fist and angrily shouted “God is Great” as he took the stand in a temporary courthouse on the resort island.

Ghufron, also known by his alias Mukhlas, is the third key suspect to stand trial over the bloodiest terror attack since the September 11 2001, strikes against the US.

His trial is expected to reveal the inner workings of Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been accused of plotting a series of foiled attacks in South-east Asia.

Prosecutor Putu Indriati said Ghufron had “general responsibility” for the attack and played a key role in channelling the funds for it.

“When he heard on the radio about the bomb exploding on Bali, he thanked God because the plan had succeeded and many of the victims were America’s allies, including Australians,” she said.

Ghufron and his fellow conspirators wanted to avenge the US’ alleged “indiscriminate slaughter and oppression of Muslims” and chose Bali as a target because of the large number of foreign tourists there, she said.

Security was tight at the hearing. Hundreds of police patrolled the courthouse and manned roadblocks on nearby streets.

If found guilty, Ghufron faces the death penalty under anti-terror laws rushed through in the days after the bombings. He is the eldest of three brothers accused of playing key roles in the bombings.

The trial, which lasted just 50 minutes, was adjourned until next week.

Later, three Australian survivors testified at the trial of Ghufron’s younger brother, Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, who has admitted involvement in the attack and said he was proud the bombs killed so many white people.

Peter Hughes, 43, of Perth told the court how he is haunted by nightmares and flashbacks. At one point he showed the judges the scars from the burns across his upper body.

“Emotionally, it has nearly destroyed me,” he said.

Amrozi sat expressionless just yards away as the witnesses spoke.

“I understand what they said, but I don’t know if it’s true,” Amrozi repeated to the court three times when given a chance to respond after each man spoke.

The witnesses stayed calm and composed throughout the hearing.

Stewart Anstee, 24, an environmental scientist, told the court how he remembered hearing an explosion, seeing a bright light and then blood spurting from his neck.

“I feel angry. I still have a lot of healing to do,” he said.