Amrozi sentenced to death for Bali bombing

8.20pm

BALI - Indonesian Muslim militant Amrozi has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of helping plan and carry out last year's deadly bombing attacks on the resort island of Bali.

Amrozi, dubbed the smiling bomber, was found guilty of helping to plot, organise and carry out crimes of terror in relation to the nightclub blasts that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, on October 12 last year.

It was the first verdict in the Bali bomb trials.

Amrozi clenched his fists, punched the air in triumph and smiled as police led him from the court room. He had showed scant interest in proceedings earlier, fidgeting and then smiling at the prosecutors after a defiant entry.

"Allahu akbar (God is Greatest)," the 40-year-old mechanic from neighbouring Java island cried as he arrived in court.

The verdict came just two days after a car bomb killed at least 10 people at a luxury hotel in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, and coincided with concern that a shadowy Southeast Asian network linked to al Qaeda might be plotting further attacks.

During the trial Amrozi admitted involvement in the attacks, saying "whites" deserved to die.

He had also said he would welcome the death penalty, but said he does not belong to the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah Muslim network that police blame for the Bali bombings and are already linking to Tuesday's Jakarta blast at the JW Marriott Hotel.

Bali police chief Made Pastika said additional police had been deployed around the court to ensure tighter security.

"The situation in Jakarta also influences our security measures," Pastika told reporters.

About 400 police carrying wooden staves surrounded the court building. Roadblocks barricaded approach roads. One policeman, an M-16 rifle resting between his legs, dozed at the rear of the court.

Those who say they are eager for retribution from the court range from waiters who survived the bombs that destroyed two popular clubs to Australians maimed in the attacks. Local entrepreneurs who have scraped to make a living since the attacks devastated the island's tourism industry say the same thing.

About half of the dead in Bali were Australians, killed as they enjoyed the island's famous nightlife. Several dozen Indonesians, including Balinese, also died.

"You must die, Amrozi," read a message posted on the green fence in front of a mound of earth that was once the Sari Club.

"Whether he rots away in jail for 60 years or they shoot him dead, as long as he gets his (punishment) I don't really mind," said Australian Jake Ryan, 22, who lost half of his left foot in the blast that destroyed the Sari Club. Five of his friends were killed, he said as he arrived at the court to hear the verdict.

Plenty is at stake for the world's most populous Muslim nation in the trials of 38 suspects arrested over Bali, especially in the wake of Tuesday's powerful car bomb attack.

Indonesia had won international praise for showing the world it could tackle the Bali bombings. The Marriott attack suggests it has plenty left to do.

Police have highlighted similarities between the two attacks, especially in the bomb composition. The Bali bombs were made mainly of TNT and potassium chlorate -- a fertiliser compound.

Two of Amrozi's brothers are also on trial for the Bali bombings.

But as the first suspect arrested, Amrozi has been a focal point of anger in Bali, a picture-postcard mix of golden beaches, emerald rice fields and gentle people.

Amrozi's giggling delight at the attacks, broadcast in a public police interrogation a month after the Bali blasts, shocked people across this Hindu island and around the world.

He also gained notoriety by laughing at Indonesian witnesses.

Australian Geoff Phillips said he wanted the maximum penalty.

"He smiles and makes you very, very annoyed. Just the smile, the smirk, the arrogance. That's when you feel like you could put a gun to his head and blow him away. It just doesn't seem right."

Phillips' son, Brad, who lost seven friends, refused to comment.

Like other accused Bali bombers, Amrozi came under the sway of the teachings of Abu Bakar Bashir, alleged head of Jemaah Islamiah. Police have linked Bashir to the Bali blasts but not named him as a suspect. The cleric has denied any wrongdoing.

Amrozi's lawyer has said the only thing that could be proved against him was that he had sent chemical substances to Bali.

The defendant has told the court he brought a minivan from his home on Java island so it could be made into a massive car bomb.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Bali bomb blast