Six suspected militants on trial in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Oct 1 (Reuters) Six suspected Islamic militants went on trial in Indonesia today, charged with financing militant attacks and harbouring the military leader of the regional Jemaah Islamiah group.

The men could face maximum sentences ranging from 20 years in prison to death by firing squad if found guilty under the country's tough counter-terrorism laws.

Charges against the six defendants include giving shelter to Abu Dujana, the alleged military leader of the Jemaah islamiah, weapons possession and helping fund militant activities.

They were tried in four separate courtrooms at the Central Jakarta district court.

Dujana, who was arrested in June during a police raid in Central Java, has been linked to several attacks, including the 2004 Australian embassy blast and the bombing of Jakarta's JW Marriott hotel, which together killed more than 20 people.

Police said he also had a role in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed more than 200 people, many of them foreign tourists.

Hundreds of militants allegedly linked to Jemaah Islamiah have been arrested since the Bali bombings.

REUTERS SKB KN1453