Bashir to be spared from death penalty

Abu Bakar Bashir has escaped the death penalty in relation to the discovery of a terrorist cell and paramilitary training camp after prosecutors dropped two key charges against the radical Muslim cleric.
But the 72-year-old, who many suspect of being behind the deadly 2002 Bali bombings, could still spend the rest of his life behind bars if found guilty of raising funds for the camp, found last year in a mountainous jungle area in the Indonesian province of Aceh.
In delivering their sentence request in the South Jakarta District Court on Monday, prosecutors conceded they had failed to prove all elements of the primary charge of trafficking in explosives and/or weapons for use in planning or inciting a terrorist act.
They also failed to prove a secondary charge of using violence or threats of violence for the purpose of conducting terrorism.
Both charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, were therefore dropped.
However, prosecutors maintained there was enough evidence, collected from a number of his former allies, to prove that he was involved in raising funds for the camp, and the cell known as Takjim al-Qaeda Serambi Mekah (al-Qaeda of the Veranda of Mecca).
It's believed the group was planning to carry out attacks with suicide squads targeting Westerners, political leaders and police in Indonesia.
While the remaining charge also carries the death penalty, prosecutors instead opted for a life sentence, citing the defendant's age.
Prosecutors said the evidence presented during the trial, including testimony from former key allies, showed Bashir was clearly at the centre of money-raising efforts.
One of the key witnesses in the trial, Luthfi Haidaroh, also known as Ubaid, had previously told the court that he acted as a middle man between Bashir and members of the cell, including the deceased terrorist known as Dulmatin.
Dulmatin, killed in a police raid last year, was involved in making the bombs for the 2002 Bali attacks which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.
Bashir served almost 26 months in prison for conspiracy over the 2002 Bali bombings but was later acquitted on appeal.
In February, Ubaid was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raising funds for firearms and supplies for the terrorist cell, while others who gave evidence against Bashir have also been convicted and sentenced.
It is their evidence which prosecutors believe should also ensure Bashir, who will turn 74 in August, spends the rest of his life in jail.
As he was being led away from the court, Bashir said the charges brought against him were the act of an "evil country", referring to Indonesia.
"What's most important is that I defend Islam," he said.
As the sentence request was read out, about 100 Bashir supporters who had watched the proceedings on a large television screen outside the court amid a heavy police presence, shouted: "God is great, God is great".
They continued to rally as Bashir was being driven away in a police convoy, which included armoured vehicles.
The case will return to court on May 25, when the defence will respond to the prosecution's sentence request.