Bali suspect's final defence

Ali Imron has repeatedly said he is sorry for his actions

A key suspect on trial in connection with the Bali nightclub bombings last October has been giving his final defence statement.

Ali Imron, the youngest of three brothers charged with the Bali attack, is accused of helping to put together the largest bomb, which exploded in a van outside the Sari nightclub.

More than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed in the attack.

INDONESIA'S TERROR TRIALS Amrozi Sentenced to death on 7 August Convicted of providing the van and bombs used in the attacks Imam Samudra Sentenced to death on 10 September Convicted of planning the attack Mukhlas (Ali Gufron) Trial began on 16 June Accused of being the 'mastermind' behind the attacks Also said to be operations chief of regional militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) Ali Imron Trial began on 21 July Has admitted to assembling the main bomb Abu Bakar Ba'asyir Sentenced on 2 September to four years in jail for subversion Acquitted of being JI's spiritual leader

Ali Imron is the only suspect to have shown any remorse - a fact acknowledged by the prosecution, who have asked for a life sentence rather than the maximum penalty of death.

Ali Imron's older brother, Amrozi, has already been convicted and sentenced to execution by firing squad.

Ali Imron told the court in Bali that the attack was meant to be an act of solidarity with Muslims around the world, but he said he now believed the bombings were a violation of jihad's principle because no warning was given and women were among the victims.

Because of Bali, he said: "I've been called a terrorist, but I don't think I look like a terrorist, but I now have to live with that title".

"As a human being, I would like... the lightest sentence possible," Ali Imron said.

His lawyer, Suyono, pleaded with the judges to consider the "honest regrets" of the defendant.

"Being ordered to do something is not the same as taking part in doing something," Suyanto said, adding that witnesses have shown that the defendant was acting on the orders of Imam Samudra, the alleged field commander of the Bali bombings who has already been sentenced to death.

Involved

Ali Imron has acknowledged his role in the attacks.

He said he helped to assemble the car bomb which exploded outside the Sari nightclub, and has also admitted planting a smaller bomb outside the American consulate in Denpasar.

He has apologised to the families of the bombing victims, saying he now believes what he did was wrong.

Ali Imron is the fourth of about 30 suspects to go on trial.

He is the youngest of three brothers to have been arrested in connection with the attack. His oldest brother Mukhlas is accused of masterminding the operation.