Bali bomb suspect in court for sentence

One of the few suspects to express remorse over his alleged involvement in last year’s bombings on Indonesia’s Bali island arrived at court today to hear his sentence.

Ali Imron is facing a possible death penalty, but prosecutors have asked that he receive 20 years in prison because he has shown regret and co-operated with investigators.

Imron’s older brother Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, and another key defendant, Imam Samudra, already have been sentenced to face firing squads for their roles in the attack, which killed 202 people.

Judges were scheduled to read Imron’s indictment and a summary of testimony delivered at his trial. A verdict was expected by 10am Irish time.

Imron, a 33-year old Islamic boarding school teacher, was arrested in January. He is accused of planning and carrying out an act of terrorism.

He has admitted taking part in the plot, but in contrast to the other defendants, has expressed remorse, and has often broken down in tears in court.

He has also provided investigators with important information about the plot, and testified against other key players.

Judges in Indonesia are free to ignore prosecutors demands when they sentence defendants.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, won plaudits for its prompt investigation into the blasts. More than 20 other suspects will be tried over the coming months in connection with the attack.

Imron’s younger brother, Ali Gufron, alias Mukhlas, is also on trial for the blasts. He is allegedly a senior member of Jemaah Islamiyah, the al-Qaida-linked terrorist group blamed for the attack.