Key Bali suspect says bombing besmirched Islam ( 2003-08-21 16:14) (Agencies)
The youngest of three Indonesian brothers being
tried for last year's deadly blasts on the tourist island of Bali begged for
forgiveness on Thursday, telling a court that the attack was wrong and
besmirched Islam.
Ali Imron, a key suspect in last year's
deadly Bali bomb blasts, arrives for his trial in Denpasar, Bali August
21, 2003. He begged for forgiveness on Thursday, telling the court the
attack was wrong and besmirched Islam.
[Reuters]
Although Ali Imron faces charges of plotting and organising terror crimes
similar to those of his older siblings, he has repeatedly shown remorse during
the trial rather than the pride and defiance of his brothers.
He also said he hesitated before taking part in the attack but could not defy
his older brothers. Imron is the youngest of three brothers accused of playing
central roles in the bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreign
holidaymakers, in Bali's famed Kuta beach strip.
They are Mukhlas, the suspected commander of the Bali operation who has
retracted all of his earlier statements to the authorities, and Amrozi, who has
been sentenced to death in the only case where a verdict has been delivered so
far. Amrozi said he said he was proud the attacks killed white people. In
contrast, Imron said on Thursday: "What I have done was a mistake from a
religious and nationalistic point of view. I think it was not a jihad bomb. What
happened in Legian street was clearly not jihad."
Wearing a black suit and tie -- again different from other Bali defendants
who have appeared in traditional Muslim dress -- Imron said:
"I ask forgiveness from the Balinese, the Indonesian government and people
and also the Islamic community. My deeds have smeared Islam and troubled
Muslims," he said.
Imron's demeanour was a stark contrast to the swaggering Amrozi who gave two
thumbs up and denounced Jews when the Denpasar district court sentenced him to
death on August 7.
It may be weeks before the court decides its verdict on Imron. The trial was
adjourned until August 27 when three more witnesses take the stand.
Indonesian authorities have said the Bali bombings were the workings of
Jemaah Islamiah, a Southeast Asian militant Muslim group accused of plotting and
carrying out attacks in the region.
Jakarta has also blamed the group for bombing the JW Marriot Hotel in the
Indonesian capital earlier this month. The suicide car-bomb attack at the lobby
of the U.S-run hotel killed 12 people and wounded 150 others.
