Posted on 08/24/2004 9:45:39 AM PDT by knighthawk
One of the key conspirators of the Bali bomb plot, Idris, has escaped punishment despite confessing to the crime.
A Jakarta court threw out the charges against Idris today because of a recent Constitutional Court ruling on the retrospective use of Indonesia's anti-terrorism laws.
However, Idris was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in last year's bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta.
Idris, also known as Joni Hendrawan, was at most of the key planning meetings for the Bali bombings, which killed more than 200 people.
He helped secure the safe houses and the vehicle used. He scouted the targets, taught the Sari Club car bomber how to drive and even detonated the smallest of the bombs near the US consulate.
He was also involved in choosing the targets.
Before court today, he again admitted to his role in the attacks. But the court threw out the case against him, saying the Constitutional Court's recent decision on the retrospective use of anti-terrorism laws made it impossible to proceed.
Idris laughed in his cell after the ruling.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says the decision does not necessarily set a precedent for other trials.
Mr Downer says the Federal Government is seeking more information on today's court decision.
He has welcomed the 10-year sentence for Idris. Mr Downer says that demonstrates Indonesia's resolve to investigate and prosecute all those involved in terrorism.
No surprise
The Australian Federal Police Commissioner says the court's decision should not come as a surprise.
Commissioner Mick Keelty says he is not sure what impact it will have on other cases relating the Bali attack.
But he says he has no criticism of the court decision.
"I think we've got to respect the judicial system of Indonesia," he said.
"Whilst it might seem unusual to us as Australians at first blush, we shouldn't be surprised by it.
"There's many people here in Australia who in their own appeals, appeal on issues of technicality and in fact some people get off on issues of technicalities.
Ping
Bull s***. No one in Australia or the U. S. gets off on a technicality after confessing to a crime of this magnitude. I realize Indonesia hasn't exactly let this perp go free yet -- I hope and expect they never will. If they do, we can probably find a place for him at Gitmo.
Perhaps a more informal "justice"could be meted out.
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