Charges against Umar Patek obscure, lawyers say
Associated Press, Jakarta | Mon, 02/20/2012 1:32 PM
Demolition man: Indonesian militant Umar Patek waves as he attends his trial at West Jakarta District Court in Jakarta, Monday.Patek, the alleged terrorist mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombing that killed more than 200 people, may face a death sentence for conspiring to commit terrorism.(AP/Dita Alangkara)Lawyers for the Indonesian militant who assembled bombs used in the 2002 nightclub blasts on Bali island say the country's tough anti-terrorism law can't be applied in this case.
They also told the court Umar Patek didn't take part in preplanning meetings and is therefore not guilty of premeditated murder.
The trial for 45-year-old militant kicked off last week.
He faces a maximum penalty of death for his role in the Bali attacks that killed 202 people.
Lawyer Ashluddin Hatjani said Monday the country's anti-terror legislation was passed in 2003 and can't be applied retroactively.
He also says Patek had no way of knowing how the bombs would be used and can't be charged with premeditated murder.
