Muslim Cleric Abu Bakar Bashir Appears in
Jakarta Court for Terror Charges
Abu Bakar Bashir flashes a smile and a wave on his way into court.
The Muslim cleric, on trial in Jakarta, is accused of planning to use weapons to commit acts of terror.
Last week in court, Bashir gave a defense statement claiming the trial was politically motivated.
[Muhammad Taufik, Prosecutor]:
"We reject the defendant and legal lawyer's statement and court must proceed."
Bashir is the leader of a radical Islamist group and founder of a boarding school... a graduate of which was executed for planning the Bali bomb attacks in 2002.
Bashir is also accused of funding a paramilitary training camp in western Aceh Province that police said had planned to assassinate Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Outside the court security is tight. Thousands of police were on hand, checking his supporters as they filed into the court.
Bashir is seen as a hero to hard-line Muslims and usually draws hundreds of supporters.
The trial is set to reconvene this Thursday when judges will decide whether the case will continue or not.
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