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| Southeast Asia |
| Bali bomb convictions still stand despite new ruling: judge |
| 2004-07-25 |
| Convictions against the Bali bombers still stand despite a ruling by Indonesia's top court that the law on which the verdicts were based is unconstitutional. "The Constitutional Court ruling does not apply retroactively either," the court's chief judge Jimly Asshidiqie told AFP, when asked about the implication of the court's ruling on the Bali convictions. He gave no further details. Asshidiqie is the chief of a nine-member panel of judges at the court which ruled Friday that a subsidiary law which made the main anti-terror law retroactive -- to cover the Bali attack -- violated the constitution. The ruling was in favour of Masykur Abdul Kadir, who challenged the retroactive use of the law when appealing against a 15-year jail term for helping the bombers. Justice Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra backed the chief judge, saying "all legal actions taken in the Bali case, especially those which already have permanent legal force, still stand. As for cases which are still in court or in the appeal process, we leave it to judges to consider." The statements came as Australian Prime Minister John Howard said his country was working with Indonesia to ensure the Bali bombers did not escape punishment. "Let me make it very clear that every effort is being made by this government, in cooperation with the authorities in Indonesia, to ensure ... that those responsible for these horrible deeds are appropriately punished according to the full vigour of Indonesian law," he said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Cingold, thank you for accurately predicting that appropriate rule-of-law would prevail. It was a worthy and well placed call. Justice Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra backed the chief judge, saying "all legal actions taken in the Bali case, especially those which already have permanent legal force, still stand. As for cases which are still in court or in the appeal process, we leave it to judges to consider." Tell us what you really think, junior. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-07-25 4:14:48 AM |