An Indonesian court said Wednesday that a fiery Muslim militant who faces the death penalty was the coordinator and brains behind last October's Bali bombings, which killed 202 people.

The court has yet to give its formal verdict and recessed for a short break around midday, but the comments by judge Isa Sudewi suggest Imam Samudra could face a tough ruling.

One key suspect has already been sentenced to death in connection with the October 12 attacks.

Shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest), Samudra defiantly entered the dock earlier Wednesday. Wearing a white Muslim shirt, dark trousers and a black cap, Samudra shouted the phrase four times and punched his fist in the air before sitting down.

"From the facts, it has been seen that the defendant had a dominant role in the explosion of the bombs," Sudewi said.

"The defendant worked behind the scenes as the coordinator so the panel of judges has an opinion that the defendant is the intellectual actor behind the bomb explosions."

Prosecutors have demanded death for Samudra, accusing him of being ground commander of the blasts that killed mainly foreign tourists partying in nightclubs along Bali's famous Kuta Beach.

Samudra, 33, has said he would welcome death. Executions in the world's most populous Muslim nation are by firing squad.

During the morning session, he slouched in his chair and appeared unfazed by the proceedings. Samudra has admitted involvement but denied his alleged pivotal role.

Indeed, brashness has characterized his demeanor throughout a trial that began on June 2, often drawing anger from survivors from Australia, which lost 88 citizens in the blasts.

One Australian on hand Wednesday was Jan Laczynski from Melbourne, who carried his national flag adorned with small photos of Australia's dead. Laczynski, who knew some Indonesian victims, said he hoped to unfurl the flag during the session.

"I would not miss this for the world," said Laczynski, wearing green shorts and a white T-shirt from Bali's Sari Club, where he was a regular and which was destroyed in the attacks.

"I hope he finally appreciates what he has done, the damage he has caused to a lot of people, the hurt he has caused to a lot of families."

Last month, judges imposed the death penalty on Amrozi, the first man arrested for the worst terror attack since the September 11, 2001, strikes on the United States.

That sentence was seen by many as a sign of the secular government's determination to stamp out militant Islam.

However, some said that impression was undermined last week when a Jakarta court sentenced radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir to four years in prison for treason.

Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentences for Bashir, who several governments believe to be spiritual leader of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah militant group, blamed for Bali.

Samudra has said he would consider death as martyrdom.

Most Indonesians follow a moderate interpretation of Islam, and many say Samudra's radical brand of the religion, in which Westerners are seen as enemies and legitimate targets, does their faith an injustice.

More than 30 suspects are on trial over the Bali attacks.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+Goal set for compulsory education ( 2003-09-10) +Beijing girds up for fight against influenza ( 2003-09-10) +New rule limits brutal police actions ( 2003-09-10) +Influx of hot money poses a threat ( 2003-09-10) +Flood affects 510,000 in Shaanxi ( 2003-09-10)		+Barbie deemed threat to Saudi morality ( 2003-09-10) +Bali court says militant was brains behind attacks ( 2003-09-10) +Iraq leader welcomes 10,000 Turkish troops ( 2003-09-10) +Bomb kills GI, wounds another in Iraq ( 2003-09-10) +Singapore minister says lab may be SARS source ( 2003-09-10)