Homeland Security

DATE=10/28/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDONESIA/BASHIR TERROR TRIAL (LONG)

NUMBER=2-319962

BYLINE=TIM JOHNSTON

DATELINE=JAKARTA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Alleged Terror Leader Goes On Trial In Indonesia

INTRO: The alleged leader of Southeast Asia's most dangerous Islamic militant group has gone on trial in Indonesia charged with terrorist offenses that carry the death penalty. As Tim Johnston reports from Jakarta, Abu Bakar Bashir appealed for his supporters to remain calm.

TEXT:

/// ACT, CRIES OF ALLAH U AKBAR, EST & FADE UNDER///

Supporters of Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir shout Allah u Akbar, or God is greatest, as he is led into a specially-prepared courtroom in south Jakarta on Thursday.

The 66-year-old Muslim cleric stands accused of leading Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian Islamic group that was behind the bombing of a tourist nightclub on the island of Bali two years ago, which killed 202 people, and last year's attack on the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, which killed 12.

/// ACT, PROSECUTORS IN INDONESIAN, EST & FADE ///

Prosecutors read out the indictment, which accuses him of encouraging terrorism and approving the targets chosen by JI's military planners. If convicted, Bashir could face the death penalty.

About 100 of his supporters were in court to watch the beginning of the trial. Many of them were students at the Islamic boarding school he founded and ran in central Java until his arrest two years ago, and he appealed to them to remain calm and avoid making any disturbances.

Although he has made little secret of his hatred of the West, Bashir has always denied any involvement in terrorist acts. Speaking to reporters before he was led into court, he said that he believed that terrorists should be punished, but that the West should not be allowed to define terrorism solely on its own terms.

Terrorism experts say they have little doubt of Bashir's involvement with JI. They point out that a disproportionate number of the 30 or so men so far convicted of terrorist offenses in Indonesia were graduates of his school.

But they say most of the evidence against him is circumstantial, and that prosecutors may have a hard time making the charges stick.

The trial is expected to last several months. (Signed)

NEB/HK/TJ/BK