U.S. prosecutors say the long-delayed military commission could begin in 2027, raising fresh hopes of justice for families of the 2002 Bali bombing victims.
More than two decades after the 2002 Bali bombings killed 202 people, alleged Jemaah Islamiyah leader Encep Nurjaman, better known as Hambali, is closer than ever to standing trial.
During a recent video briefing with victims’ families, U.S. prosecutors said they are aiming to begin military commission proceedings against Hambali in 2027. While no trial date has been formally confirmed, the update marks the clearest indication in years that one of the world’s longest-running terrorism cases may finally move forward.
The case has remained stalled for years by complex legal disputes, leaving survivors and victims’ families waiting more than two decades for the judicial process to begin.
A Long Road to Trial
Hambali, also known as Riduan Isamuddin, is accused by U.S. prosecutors of helping orchestrate the coordinated bombings that targeted Paddy’s Pub and the Sari Club in Kuta on October 12, 2002.
The attacks killed 202 people from 21 countries and injured more than 200 others, making them one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in Southeast Asia. Among those killed were 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, and citizens of numerous other countries.
Hambali has denied the allegations against him.
He was captured in Thailand in August 2003 before being transferred through a network of CIA detention facilities. He has since been held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where his case has remained tied up in pre-trial proceedings for years.
Why the Case Has Taken So Long
The biggest obstacle has been a series of legal challenges over Hambali’s treatment while in CIA custody.
His lawyers argue that statements and evidence obtained after years of secret detention and harsh interrogation should not be used in court. Those disputes have repeatedly delayed proceedings and remain central to the case.
Despite those challenges, prosecutors told victims’ families they are working toward a 2027 trial and believe the proceedings could last between five weeks and two months.
If Hambali is convicted, prosecutors intend to seek 202 life sentences—one for each person killed in the Bali bombings.
Key Witnesses Expected to Testify
The prosecution is also expected to rely on testimony from two former associates, Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, who reached plea agreements with U.S. authorities and agreed to cooperate in the case.
Meanwhile, investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continue gathering evidence from several countries, including Indonesia, Australia and Singapore, as prosecutors prepare for trial.
Families Still Waiting for Justice
For many families, the latest briefing offers cautious optimism rather than certainty.
The military commission system at Guantanamo has seen several high-profile terrorism cases delayed by years of procedural disputes, and prosecutors acknowledged that further legal challenges could still push Hambali’s trial back.
Even so, the latest update represents the strongest sign in years that the case is edging closer to court.
If proceedings begin as planned, they would mark the first time allegations surrounding one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in Indonesia’s history are fully tested before a military commission, nearly a quarter of a century after the bombs exploded in Bali.
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