Bali bombing suspect awaits Indonesian court ruling

JAKARTA, Indonesia – An Indonesian court is expected to issue a verdict today in the case of a terror suspect accused of helping to build the car bomb used in the 2002 Bali nightclub attacks.

Sentencing also would be today.

Prosecutors want a life sentence for 45-year-old Umar Patek and say he’s a leading member of the al-Qaida-linked network Jemaah Islamiyah.

He is accused of illegal weapons possession, concealing terrorist acts, immigration violations and premeditated murder in the bombings that killed 202 people on the resort island.

Most victims were foreign tourists, including 88 Australians, seven Americans and two Canadians.

Patek says he was a minor player and should not get a life term.

A five-member judge panel at the West Jakarta District Court will issue the verdict.