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Indonesian judges sentence Islamic militant to 8 years for 2005 Bali bombings

BALI, Indonesia (AP) - Judges sentenced an Islamic militant to eight years in prison Thursday for involvement in the 2005 Bali bombings that killed 20 people - the second verdict in the terrorist attack in as many days.

Dwi Widiarto helped make a video of the three suicide bombers ahead of the blasts and met with the alleged mastermind, Noordin Top, on at least three occasions, said judges at the heavily guarded Denpasar District Court.

He also helped set up a Web site that called on Muslims to wage war against "infidels" and gave step-by-step instructions on how to kill foreigners in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, has been hit by a string of terrorist attacks in recent years blamed on the al Qaida-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah. More than 240 people have died, many of them foreign tourists.

Widiarto was one of four men charged in the Oct. 1, 2005 blasts that targeted three crowded restaurants on the resort island of Bali, all accused of helping hide Noordin, transport explosives or make the suicide bombers’ videotaped confessions.

All were convicted under anti-terror laws and could have faced death, though prosecutors sought only 10 years behind bars.

"The defendant helped Noordin Top carry out three suicide attacks that killed 20 people and wounded nearly 200 others," said presiding judge Wayan Wardana in handing out the eight-year sentence.

He said the panel of three judges decided on a lighter sentence for Widiarto, who arrived at the court in an armored vehicle, because he had shown remorse for his role in the attacks and had a family with four children.

Last week another militant charged in the 2005 bombings attack also received eight years behind bars.

Another verdict was expected later Thursday and the fourth next week.

 

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