Bali bomber to face mass murder charges in Indonesia

Jakarta, Aug 19(ANI): Indonesian authorities have charged Bali bomber, Umar Patek of mass murder in the 2002 Bali bombings which had killed 202 people.

Terrorism charges are now expected to be framed against him for his involvement in a paramilitary training camp in Aceh, and for his links with the slain terrorist Dulmatin.

Indonesian Police spokesman Anton Bachrul Alam confirmed he would be charged under the criminal code for his involvement in the Bali bombings.

"He's involved in criminal acts of terrorism, he's also to be charged with premeditated murder," News.com.au quoted Anton, as saying.

Anton said that Patek had supplied weapons to Dulmatin, and admitted to involvement in the Aceh camp.

The development comes despite Indonesian officials had earlier indicated that their chances of pursuing a terrorism case against Patek were limited because the 2003 counter-terrorism laws could not be applied retrospectively.

"Now,that he's proven to have brought in weapons and then joined Dulmatin, we now can charge him under the counter-terrorism laws," Anton said.

Patek was one of South-East Asia's most wanted terrorists before he was captured in Abbottabad on January 25.

He arrived in Jakarta after being extradited by the Pakistan government.

He was also wanted in the Philippines, where he allegedly plotted deadly attacks with local militants.(ANI)