Prosecutors appeal cleric's Bali sentence

Indonesian prosecutors have appealed a 30-month sentence handed down to militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir for conspiracy in the 2002 Bali bombings – a move likely to please Australia and the US, which are hoping for a longer sentence against the preacher.

Chief prosecutor Salman Maryadi said he filed the appeal with the Jakarta High Court because last week’s verdict was “too lenient.”

The appeal, lodged on Monday, will likely take several months to be heard.

Yesterday, Bashir’s attorneys appealed the sentence to the same court, arguing the conviction was weak because it relied solely on the testimony of a convicted Bali bomber who never appeared in court.

Analysts have said Bashir has a good chance of having the sentence reduced or quashed on appeal.