Bali bomb helper jailed
An Indonesian court has sentenced aman to 20 years in prison for playing a role in the 2002 Bali bomb attack that killed more than 200 people.
The court ruled ‘‘the defendant Umar Patek legally and convincingly guilty for the first criminal act of evil conspiring carrying fire arms and ammunition for terrorism’’, the head of the judges’ panel, Encep Yuliadi, said.
‘‘Second, intentionally concealing information on terrorism. Third, planned murder. Fourth, using forged documents. Fifth, forging authentic documents together (with others). Sixth, together with others in possession of explosive materials,’’ Yuliadi said, reading the list of convictions.
The court was therefore ‘‘sentencing the defendant 20 years in prison, including time served’’.
Prosecutors had initially sought a life sentence for Patek, 46, for his involvement in the attack that killed three New Zealanders, 88 Australians and 28 Britons, among others.
The court also found him guilty of smuggling arms from the Philippines, passport forgery for himself and his wife so they could travel to Pakistan and of helping the previously convicted Bali bombers test M-16 rifles.
Patek also was found guilty of carrying out a number of bomb attacks in churches in Jakarta in 2000.
He admitted to having assembled explosives for the two suicide bombings at a bar and a Bali nightclub, plus other attacks, but had denied all charges.
During a defence session two weeks ago, he asked the judges’ panel to consider his ‘‘dislike for terrorism’’, state news agency Antara reported.
The prosecution team denied Patek’s defence, saying the charges had been considered carefully according to the defendant’s action.
Patek had repeatedly asked for the forgiveness of victims’ family in court, and called on Muslim activists to ‘‘leave terrorism’’.