Court rules Bali bombing trial must proceed

An Indonesian court ruled yesterday that the trial of an Islamic militant charged with masterminding last year's Bali bombings could go forward, dismissing defence arguments that the indictment was illegal.

Imam Samudra (above), 32, is the second of 34 suspects accused in the October 12 blasts to go on trial. He is charged with planning and executing the attacks that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Last week, Samudra's lawyers argued the indictment was illegal because foreign police officers took part in the investigation. They also said that the anti-terror laws used to try their client were invalid because they were passed after the crime.

Herald Feature: Bali bomb blast