Judge dismisses ‘Bali bomber’ defence appeal

2012-03-05 65

Security is tight as suspected Bali bomber Umar Patek arrives at court in the Indonesian capital.

Patek, 45, is accused of making bombs that exploded at Bali nightclubs packed with mostly Australian tourists in 2002, killing 202 people.

He is also accused of involvement in the fatal Christmas 2000 Jakarta church bombings. Security forces say he is a member of al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah.

Patek's defence team had called for the charges to be dropped, but on Monday the court decided the trial should continue.

Patek's lawyer says he disagrees with the court's ruling, but accepts the decision.

The 2002 Bali bombs shocked the normally tranquil tourist island.

Three almost-simultaneous blasts ripped through a nightspot packed with tourists.

Among the 202 fatalities were 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians.

Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, has since been largely successful in containing militant attacks across the archipelago.

Nick Rowlands, Reuters.