Trial of Indonesian militant cleric postponed

Abu Bakar Bashir, the 72—year—old spiritual head of the al—Qaeda—linked Jemaah Islamiyah network, faces a maximum penalty of death on charges of helping plan a series of deadly attacks.

February 10, 2011 11:16 am | Updated October 10, 2016 07:15 am IST - JAKARTA, Indonesia

Militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir is escorted by prosecutors and police officers on arrival for his trial at a district court in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday. Photo: AP.

Militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir is escorted by prosecutors and police officers on arrival for his trial at a district court in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday. Photo: AP.

The terrorism trial of Indonesia’s best—known radical cleric has been postponed until next week over a technicality.

Abu Bakar Bashir, the 72—year—old spiritual head of the al—Qaeda—linked Jemaah Islamiyah network, faces a maximum penalty of death on charges of helping plan a series of deadly attacks.

He is also charged with funding a new terror cell in Indonesia’s Aceh province and mobilizing foot soldiers.

The trial was supposed to open on Thursday at the tightly guarded South Jakarta District Court, but Bashir’s lawyers protested, saying they received a summons only two days ago.

Under Indonesian law, a defendant needs at least three days’ notice.

The trial will resume on Monday.

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