The first trial of alleged Indonesia [2] bomber Umar Patek began Feb. 13 in the West Jakarta District Court over his role in several terrorist plots including the Jakarta church bombings in [3] 2000 and the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing [4]. Patek was arrested in Abbottabad, Pakistan [5], in 2011, just a few weeks before US special forces killed Osama bin Laden [6] in the same town. If convicted Patek could face life imprisonment or a death sentence. Patek is not facing "terrorism" charges under Indonesia law, since the terrorism law came into effect in 2003 after both bombings and cannot be applied retrospectively. Patek is believed to be a member of the alleged al-Qaeda [7]-linked organization Jemaah Islamiyah, which claimed responsibility for the Bali nightclub bombings. His trial is expected to last months.
From Jurist [8], Feb. 13. Used with permission.