Saturday, 23 February 2008

Terror Group Suspects Head to Supreme Court

By Heng Reaksmey,
VOA Khmer Phnom Penh
22 February 2008

Heng Reaksmey reports in Khmer(546 KB) - Listen (MP3)

Three men allegedly linked to the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah will appeal life sentences in Cambodian Supreme Court next week, officials said.

The three suspects, Abdul Azi Jaiji Chiming and Muhammad Yalaludin Mading, both from Thailand, and Cambodian Muslim Sman Esma El, were sentenced to life in prison for commission of acts of international terrorism and attempted murder in 2003.

Rights groups have said the men were sentenced following hasty court proceedings.

Kao Sopha, defense lawyer for the three men, said Friday he expected an overturned verdict when his appeal is heard by the Supreme Court Feb. 27.

"The Supreme Court has no proof to charge my clients," he said.

Jemaah Islamiyah was responsible for the Bali bombings in October 2002. The group's leader, Hambali, was arrested by Thai authorities in February 2004, after he reportedly stayed six months in Cambodia.

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