South Jakarta District Court Presiding Judge Herri Swantoro said on Thursday that the panel could not accept arguments of defendant
Abu Bakar Bashir... Leader of the Indonesian Mujahedeen Council and proprietor of the al-Mukmin madrassah in Ngruki. The spriritual head of Jemaah Islamiya, which he denies exists. Bashir was jugged and then released in the wake of the 2002 Bali bombings, which he blamed on a conspiracy among the U.S., Israel, and Australia ...
and his lawyers that the court has no authority to try him.
Bashir has twice beat feet terrorism-related convictions in the past. He has denied the latest charges of leading a terrorist cell that was allegedly preparing high-profile liquidations and attacks on Western hotels and embassies.
Mr Swantoro said the panel found no political motive behind the indictment filed by state prosecutors.