JAKARTA, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The trial of the new alleged leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah Bali bombing terrorist group began Wednesday in Jakarta, Voice of America reported.
Abu Rusdan is accused of hiding one of the Bali bombers after last year's deadly attack. He appeared briefly before the Jakarta court Wednesday, but the start of the trial was delayed until next week on a legal technicality.
Abu Rusdan is being charged with hiding Ali Ghufron, one of the masterminds of the Bali bombing in October 2002. Mukhlas has been sentenced to death for his role in the killings of the 202 Bali victims.
Wirawan Adnan, Abu Rusdan's lawyer, denies his client has any connection to the militant group.
"He is charged with being the head of JI, but there is nothing in the indictment that accuses him of being part of JI," Adnan said.
The 43-year-old Abu Rusdan has a long record of involvement in extremist Islamic groups and may have trained in Afghanistan. If convicted, he could serve up to 20 years in prison.
