Trial for Myanmar Embassy plot begins in Indonesia

JAKARTA — A man suspected of plotting to attack the Myanmar Embassy in Indonesia went on trial today (Nov 6) on charges of terrorism that could result in a death sentence.

Prosecutors told the South Jakarta District Court that Separiano, 29, and four others wanted to retaliate against Buddhist-majority Myanmar for attacks there on ethnic Rohingya Muslims. The four other suspects are expected to go on trial later this week.

Separiano and another suspect were arrested on May 3 while riding a motorbike to the embassy in Jakarta, police said. They said five homemade bombs were seized from a backpack they were carrying and other explosive materials were found later at their rented house in the capital.

Days later, police arrested three other suspects, including Sigit Indrajit, the alleged mastermind.

In the indictment, prosecutors charged Separiano with violating anti-terrorism laws which carry a maximum penalty of death.

“They wanted to bomb the embassy because of anger over Myanmar’s treatment of Muslims,” said prosecutor Susilo, who like Separiano and many Indonesians uses a single name.

Scores of people have died in sectarian violence in Myanmar and thousands of Muslims have been driven from their homes. Members of the Rohingya ethnic group in particular face severe discrimination. They are considered to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, even though many were born in Myanmar.

Indonesia has been battling terrorists since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. AP