Prosecutors rule out repatriation for alleged Bali bomber Hambali, trial expected to start next year

Prosecutors in the US military trial of Encep Nurjaman, also known as "Hambali," the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings, have stated they will seek a life sentence on US soil and will not consider repatriating him to Indonesia. Families of the 202 victims, including 88 Australians, were recently informed that the trial is likely to begin in late American summer 2027, following over 20 years of interrogation, imprisonment, and delays. Hambali's defense team has deadlines in September and December to file motions regarding evidence discovery and sentence mitigation. Prosecutors confirmed that the Indonesian government has clarified it does not desire Hambali's repatriation. Ronald Flesvig, public affairs director at the Office of Military Commissions, confirmed the intent to seek a life sentence if Nurjaman is convicted and expects pre-trial motions to conclude by May or June 2027. The trial will include evidence from alleged co-conspirators Mohammed Nazir bin Lep and Mohammed Farik bin Amin, who were repatriated to Malaysia after providing testimony. Prosecutors also hope to submit statements about Hambali from Australian terrorist Jack Roche, collected by the Australian Federal Police and US Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2004 and 2005. Hambali's chief defense counsel, Todd Fanniff, noted a plea agreement is possible but not currently being negotiated. Relatives and friends will be able to submit victim impact statements and some expressed interest in attending