04 March 2005	Friday	22 Muharram 1426

JAKARTA, March 3: Indonesian militant Abu Bakar Bashir, accused of leading an Al Qaeda-linked group blamed for attacks across Asia, was jailed for two-and-a-half years on Thursday for involvement in the Bali bombings.

Mr Bashir was cleared of more serious terrorism charges but found guilty of taking part in a "sinister conspiracy" that led to the 2002 bombings on the Indonesian resort island which left over 200 people dead, mostly tourists.

The judges said Mr Bashir had not been directly involved in planning the Bali attack or the bombing of Jakarta's Marriott Hotel in 2003, but that he had given his approval for Bali.

"The panel of judges decided that the defendant, Abu Bakar Bashir, has been legally and convincingly proven of engaging in a sinister conspiracy," Chief judge Sudarto said. "It is true the defendant did not directly take part in the Bali blast but the defendant's words could be understood as his approval," the judge said.

The five-member panel of judges said the 66-year-old militant's words to key Bali bomber Amrozi during a meeting in 2002 showed he was aware of the conspiracy and did nothing to stop it

Prosecutors had demanded an eight-year sentence for Abu Bakar Bashir, who was tried and cleared of terrorism charges at an earlier trial in 2003. Bashir - looking frail and dressed in his traditional white robe and shawl, a white cap and glasses - has always insisted the key conversation with bomber Amrozi never took place and he vowed to appeal.

"I feel I have been treated arbitrarily with this verdict. It is unlawful for me to accept it and therefore I will appeal," Mr Bashir said. -AFP