Indonesian cleric accused of masterminding deadly 2016 Jakarta terror attack goes on trial
Aman Abdurrahman said he did not recognise the court and refused to read out the charges when fronted court in the capital on Thursday
A jailed Indonesian cleric accused of being the mastermind of a deadly 2016 terror attack in Jakarta went on trial on Thursday and faces a possible death sentence if convicted.
Aman Abdurrahman is charged with terrorism related offences over the attack, claimed by Islamic State, that killed four bystanders in a busy downtown neighbourhood. Four militants died after they were shot or blew themselves up.
The handcuffed cleric arrived at a Jakarta court in an orange vest worn by criminal suspects, escorted by armed guards.
Prosecutors read out the indictment against Abdurrahman on charges that he “deliberately used violence or threats to create terror among the general public and caused mass casualties … or caused damage” to property, which can carry a penalty ranging from four years in prison to a life sentence or the death penalty.
Abdurrahman showed little emotion, saying he did not recognise the court and would not read the charges against him or hire a lawyer. The court appointed a lawyer to represent the cleric.
