“Hambali’s defence team seeks access to Imam Samudra’s testimony in pre-trial hearing at Guantanamo Bay”

Imam Samudra, the convicted Bali bomber, initially denied any knowledge of Hambali, the alleged Malaysian leader of Jemaah Islamiah, the Al Qaeda-linked terror group responsible for the Bali bombings in 2002 that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians. But Indonesian investigators have never doubted Hambali’s guilt, citing compelling evidence. Hambali, whose real name is Encep Nurjaman, is now 59 and faces charges related to the Bali bombings and the Jakarta Marriott Hotel bombing in 2003, which killed 12 people. Two Malaysian co-accused will appear in court with him. Hambali’s defence team is seeking access to any records US government prosecutors have related to Imam Samudra’s testimony and other investigative case files from Indonesian and Australian police who helped in the investigation of the bombings. However, their motion has been denied by the US Military Commission, which has cited ongoing “security reviews” of documents. Defence lawyers have lodged an Australian request for AFP files under Freedom of Information laws, but this too has been denied. Hambali’s defence requests will be among six key motions considered at this week’s pre-trial hearing. Hambali was arrested in Thailand less than a year after the Bali bombings but was taken to several CIA black sites, where he was tortured, before being incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay in 2006. The use of torture means Hambali is unlikely to get a fair trial, according to his lead counsel, Jim Hodes. He added that the defence team may push to relocate the trial to Indonesia if it ever goes ahead.