Retrial for Indon bomber

A convicted Indonesian, suspected of having links with Osama bin Landen’s al-Qaeda terror network, was granted his wish that his case involving illegal possession of explosives be tried again.

Agus Dwikarna’s case is expected to be retried from Aug. 16 at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

On July 12, Pasay City RTC Branch 117 Judge Hernick Gingoyon found Dwikarna guilty of illegal possession of explosives and sentenced him to a maximum of 17 years in prison.

His conviction elicited protest actions against the Philippines, with demonstrations staged in front of the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta.

Dwikarna, whose group Jemaah Islamiya is believed to have ties with the al-Qaeda network, is detained at the Philippine National Police- Intelligence Group (PNP-IG).

An appeal from Indonesian authorities had prevented Dwikarna’s transfer to the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Dwikarna and his colleagues Abdul Balfas and Tamsil Linrung were arrested by immigration and police authorities as they were about to board a plane bound for Singapore last March at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Their luggage contained bomb gadgets and explosive-making paraphernalia.

The three were eventually detained at the PNP-Task Force Sanlahi, and charges of illegal possession of explosives were filed against them before the Pasay City RTC. Sanlahi is the PNP’s task force against terrorism.

Talks between Malacañang and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri led to the dropping of charges against Balfas and Linrung and their subsequent release. Dwikarna was left alone to stand trial.

Chief Superintendent Jaime Caringal, head of Task Force Sanlahi, said he welcomes the retrial of Dwikarna’s case if only to erase doubts on his conviction.

"It is within his legal rights to question his conviction, " he said.

There was no announcement as to who will retry the case.

Dwikarna and the Indonesian government have appealed that the case be moved to another court.