The Denpasar District Court in Bali, Indonesia handed down Wednesday a death sentence to Imam Samudra, suspected of masterminding the Bali bombings in last October that killed 202 people from 21 countries.

"The defendant is convincingly proven guilty of planning, raising funds, possessing and using explosives for the acts of terror. The court accordingly sentences the defendant to death," said the verdict read by presiding judge Tjok Rai Suamba and aired by Jakarta-based Metro TV.

Samudra yelled and shouted in the court after the verdict was announced.

Samudra, 33, who said earlier a death sentence would bring him closer to his maker, chanted Allahu Akabra (God is almighty) in response to the verdict.

He became the second key Bali bombing suspect in death row along with Amrozi, who was convicted of preparing explosives and avan used in the bombings.

Another key suspect, Ali Ghufron, is also expected to get a death sentence in the coming trial while his younger brother, Ali Imron, is facing a 2-year imprisonment recommended by prosecutors.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2003)