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Bali suspect on trial admits US citizens target of bombing

The Islamic militant accused of planning last year's Bali bombings targeted the tourist island as part of a "program of jihad" against the US in retaliation for its invasion of Afghanistan, a key witness said yesterday.

Ali Imron, who is himself a suspect in the Oct. 12 bombings, testified that in a meeting to plan the attack, alleged mastermind Imam Samudra told a group of 10 bombers that jihad must be waged to "defend the people of Afghanistan from America."

The testimony came during yesterday's trial of Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, who is accused of buying explosives, bomb-making material and the vehicle used in the attack. The blasts killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, and placed Indonesia on the front lines of the US-led war on terror.

"He [Samudra] told us that Bali was picked because it was frequented by Americans and their associates," said Imron.
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