Bashir's terrorism trial to go ahead
Source: ABC NET
Updated
A panel of Indonesian judges has decided to continue with the terrorism trial of radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir.
Bashir is accused of organising funding and training for a terrorist base camp in Aceh in northern Sumatra.
He asked the panel of five judges in the South Jakarta district court to dismiss the charges, arguing they lacked detail and did not establish that the military training was a crime.
But today the judges decided to continue, declaring the charges legitimate.
Sixteen key witnesses - members of Bashir's alleged terror network - will give evidence by videolink from cells elsewhere in the city.
In all, more than 130 witnesses are expected to appear.
Bashir has been convicted, then acquitted, over his role in the 2002 Bali Bombings.
He now faces a possible death penalty.
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