Bali bomb 'mastermind' in court outburst

The alleged mastermind of last year’s Bali bombings cried out in court today that Islamic militants would win the “crusade against Christians”, in his first appearance after prosecutors urged a death sentence for one of his colleagues.

Lifting his fist in the air and struggling with his armed guards, Imam Samudra shouted: “We are ready to win the crusade against Christians! We will win!”

Wearing a white Islamic tunic and hat, Samudra made the comments while looking at dozens of survivors, many from Australia, and families of victims of the bombings who were in the court.

Police whisked him from the building while he was still shouting “God is great, God is great” in Arabic before the visibly shocked spectators had a chance to react.

Samudra has confessed in court to having a role in the October 12 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, including 26 Britons, and of being a Muslim militant.

On Monday, prosecutors recommended a death sentence for another suspect, Amrozi bin Nurhasyim. He has been dubbed the “smiling bomber” because soon after his arrest in November he outraged survivors and relatives of victims when he appeared giggling before TV crews.

It was the first sentence demand for 35 suspects who have been arrested in the attack.

Prosecutors are also expected to recommend that Samudra be sentenced to death.

Judges said they will deliver their verdict in Amrozi’s trial in August.

The militants have said they took part in the attack to avenge the suffering of Muslims at the hands of the United States and its allies.